weekend open thread – October 9-10, 2021 by Alison Green on October 9, 2021 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: The Second Home, by Christina Clancy. As three siblings try to decide what to do with their family’s summer home on Cape Cod, long-buried secrets are […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on October 8, 2021 It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I just wanted to share with you some really wonderful news. It has been a somewhat bumpy path, but I am so excited to finally be here. My industry was hit pretty hard by Covid and my company did some layoffs, salary cuts, and hours cuts. Thankfully, I was not […] Read the full article →
open thread – October 8-9, 2021 by Alison Green on October 8, 2021 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 →
volunteer’s mom hangs out in our office, refusing to comply with a vaccine mandate, and more by Alison Green on October 8, 2021 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Refusing to comply with a workplace vaccine mandate Now that we’re seeing the vaccine mandates take effect, I was wondering whether the people who leave their jobs after refusing to take the vaccine would be considered to have quit or been fired. It’s not clear-cut […] Read the full article →
how to make waiting to hear back about a job more bearable by Alison Green on October 7, 2021 A reader writes: I have a question about waiting to hear back about a job. I have been in the process of applying for a new position. I’ve had three interviews with the company, I know someone who works there who gave me a strong recommendation, and my background matches the position very well. Two […] Read the full article →
update: how can I fix my procrastination problem? by Alison Green on October 7, 2021 Remember the letter-writer a couple of years ago wondering how to fix her procrastination problem? Here’s the update. (Warning: this mentions suicide.) It’s been several years and a pandemic since I wrote to you about my procrastination issues at work. Your answer and all the comments my letter received showed me that I was far […] Read the full article →
how do you network in the era of Covid? by Alison Green on October 7, 2021 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I live in an area with a lot of rules around the pandemic still — masks are mandated for indoor public spaces, many orgs are (wisely) still offering many things online, universities and such are mandating students and staff be vaccinated to come on campus/ […] Read the full article →
what do I do if I can’t find child care, HR asked if I’m job-searching, and more by Alison Green on October 7, 2021 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. What do I do if I can’t find child care? I’m a public schoolteacher. The past year and a half have been exhausting. Years ago, I gave up hope of ever being able to have another baby. So I was thrilled (but very surprised!) to […] Read the full article →
boss organizes a poker game to determine end-of-year bonuses by Alison Green on October 6, 2021 A reader writes: Is it legal for my husband’s boss to have his employees play poker to determine their bonuses? The backstory begins last winter, when a declaration was made by the owner of the company, “Michael,” that Christmas poker would be played in the office! So Michael walks in like Santa Claus with thousands […] Read the full article →
can you give an employee time to find a new job before they’re fired? by Alison Green on October 6, 2021 A reader writes: I am going to need to fire someone for low performance even though she’s trying hard. I have already laid out a performance plan and those goals have not been met. It is 100% clear that the employee does not have what it takes for the role. I would like to give […] Read the full article →