December 2021

update: my date to the office Christmas party is … a coworker

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Remember the letter-writer who was nervous because their date to the office Christmas party was … a coworker (#3 at the link; first update here)? Here’s the update. Four […]

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it’s your Friday good news

It’s your Friday good news! 1.  “Six months ago I was laid off from my best job ever. I work in publishing, and the company I worked for published trade journals for the concert industry (think light and sound techs). Well, the pandemic brought the live entertainment industry, especially concerts, to a screeching halt. And […]

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open thread – December 24-25, 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. * […]

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update: my boss thinks perks should be earned, but I can’t work well without them

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Remember the letter-writer who felt they couldn’t work well without flexibility or side projects but whose boss wanted them to demonstrate excellence before they’d grant those things? Here’s […]

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update: how to discreetly job search when you have a nosy boss

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Back in 2016, a letter-writer asked how to discreetly job search when you have a nosy boss. Here’s the update. I finally have (a not very exciting, yet […]

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update: reading erotica on breaks, the cc’d supervisor, and more

It’s “where are you now?” month at Ask a Manager, and all December I’m running updates from people who had their letters here answered in the past. Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. Can I read erotica on work breaks? I’m writing with an update to my question about reading erotica on breaks. […]

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