December 2021

it’s your Friday good news

It’s your Friday good news! 1.  “I am so excited that I get to send in my very own good news letter! I did not think it would ever happen for me. I am older and was trying to make peace with sticking it out at old job when I saw the job advert for […]

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open thread – December 17-18, 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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my coworker spends his day on magic and politics

I’m on vacation. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. My coworker spends his day on magic and politics I work in a small company with roughly 20 workers at our main office. There’s a gentlemen (and I use that term loosely) […]

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update: is paratransit making me look like a slacker?

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 worried paratransit delays were making them look like a slacker? Here’s the update. I know my letter wasn’t as spicy as some, but I always […]

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update: should I expose my boss for her mean and gossipy Twitter account?

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 whose former boss was posting confidential information on Twitter, including tweeting about an employee’s abortion and another’s sexuality? The letter-writer was wondering whether she should […]

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is it wrong to socialize with only one of my employees?

A reader writes: I manage a specialty niche team of four. Last year, I hired someone I knew from a previous job, let’s call her Mary, where we were at the same level, but now she reports to me. I am a happy hour aficionado and regularly host happy hours for my staff where they […]

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