I think my employee is overpaid by Alison Green on November 5, 2020 A reader writes: I have an employee who is overpaid for her position. I inherited this employee from a former manager who hired her two years ago. Our business revenue has declined dramatically in the past 12 months, and I know I could hire someone to do the same job for about $20,000 less per […] Read the full article →
how can we keep morale up during our busy holiday season when we’re all at home? by Alison Green on November 5, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: As we’ve moved into holiday season mode (already!) my team is taking on a huge load of work that is both physically and emotionally draining. I’m looking for some ways to help keep morale up, and help us push through until our holiday break. I’m […] Read the full article →
I’m working for a pyramid scheme, how to stop making careless mistakes, and more by Alison Green on November 5, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m working for a pyramid scheme I’m a 2020 grad in a highly competitive industry that requires “struggle jobs” even during normal times and has completely shut down due to COVID. Everything even tangentially related is fully virtual and fully volunteer, so I’ve been sending […] Read the full article →
my employee doesn’t wear a bra on Zoom meetings — should I say anything? by Alison Green on November 4, 2020 A reader writes: I’m a man who manages a team of eight. We are all remote since COVID started. It’s become noticeable in the last few months that a woman on the team, let’s call her Samantha, is not wearing a bra during zoom calls. She isn’t dressing provocatively or sexy. I do find it […] Read the full article →
your reminder that there is much good in the world by Alison Green on November 4, 2020 In case you need these posts today: update: my boss wants to give me his kidney (original post here, and second update here) update: my company wants to sponsor me for a service dog, but I’m not sure I should accept (original post here and later update here) update: I don’t want my coworkers to […] Read the full article →
updates: company told people to use PTO for quarantine, and more by Alison Green on November 4, 2020 Here are three updates from people who had their letters answered here in the past. 1. I told my job I wanted to leave, and then COVID happened (#3 at the link) I wrote in to you in April because I had let my job know that I wanted to leave before COVID hit and […] Read the full article →
am I going to regret not pursuing a more high-powered career? by Alison Green on November 4, 2020 A reader writes: I graduated from college about two and a half years ago, and have worked at least part time in my field for closer to five years (but have been a full time employee since graduating). I used to have very high career aspirations for myself and always imagined I would be a […] Read the full article →
contractor wants a raise 2 months after starting, fired for no reason, and more by Alison Green on November 4, 2020 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Contractor wants a raise two months after starting Two months ago we brought on a new editor on a 1099 contract basis. We’ll call her Arya. Overall my partner and I have been very pleased with Arya’s work. There are a few things to still […] Read the full article →
if you need a distraction tonight, here are some classic Ask a Manager letters by Alison Green on November 3, 2020 Looking for a distraction tonight? Here are some of my all-time favorite Ask a Manager letters, and some notorious ones too. a coworker stole my spicy food, got sick, and is blaming me (and the update) my coworker wants us to call her boyfriend her “master” (and the update) I ghosted my ex, and she’s […] Read the full article →
let’s talk about kindness at work by Alison Green on November 3, 2020 We talked earlier about Machiavellian behavior. Now let’s talk about times at work when people have gone out of their way to do good or be kind. Please share stories of kindness at work in the comments. (It’s a weird Tuesday and I’m not doing our regular programming today.) Read the full article →