should I re-hire an employee with a bad attitude? by Alison Green on February 10, 2021 A reader writes: I briefly worked at a terrible company where I was brought in to help fix problems with a team that had been underperforming. Soon after I was hired, it became obvious to me that the company was a mess and I chose to move on after six months. One person on my […] Read the full article →
my employee told me “I prefer not to” when I tried to give him a new project by Alison Green on February 10, 2021 A reader writes: I am a senior manager in an industry highly affected by the pandemic (performing arts). Because we are affiliated with a parent organization, we have not suffered the same budget cuts as many of our peer institutions, and have been lucky to retain all of our benefits-eligible staff throughout at their pre-pandemic […] Read the full article →
boss gives hand-me-down clothes to staff, employee wants help cutting the vaccination line, and more by Alison Green on February 10, 2021 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss offers expensive hand-me-down clothing to staff I work at a smallish school, and our boss will bring in hand-me-down clothes/shoes a few times a year when she purges her closet. I find it uncomfortable for at least two reasons: * Most of the […] Read the full article →
can my job make me travel during the pandemic? by Alison Green on February 9, 2021 A reader writes: Can my work require me to travel during the pandemic? My work has let me know I will be expected to travel by plane to another state for a week to help someone out on a project. Typically when my company travels we are required to stay in a hotel room with […] Read the full article →
can I refuse more work without a raise? by Alison Green on February 9, 2021 A reader writes: Is there a diplomatic way to tell my manager I won’t be taking on extra responsibilities until I’m given a promotion and raise? I have a good relationship with my management team and truly do like my job, but I also want to draw boundaries and make sure everyone’s expectations are aligned. […] Read the full article →
when I asked for a raise, my boss went through my bills by Alison Green on February 9, 2021 A reader writes: I’ve been in my job for a little over a year. I asked my boss for a raise, and he asked if I really need it. It stumped me, seeing how I am barely getting by. I said yes. He went over my bills, and at the end he said, “You’ll have […] Read the full article →
my boss is being catfished, can I ask to be laid off instead of a coworker, and more by Alison Green on February 9, 2021 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is being catfished My supervisor and I don’t have a particularly collegial relationship. She often takes my asking questions or sharing opinions as a direct challenge to her authority, and I’m not getting the guidance, support, or recognition from her that I need. […] Read the full article →
my boss won’t talk to me and gave me a document of anonymous criticism by Alison Green on February 8, 2021 A reader writes: Recently I went to a coworker for advice on an issue I was having with my boss. He doesn’t do one-on-ones with me and doesn’t really talk to me outside of team meetings, though I’ve tried to ask for advice/direction and am usually met with “figure it out.” We’re both new to […] Read the full article →
employees who won’t wear masks should be fired by Alison Green on February 8, 2021 During the Capitol riots last month, as lawmakers took shelter in a small, windowless room a group of Republican legislators refused to wear masks – infuriating many of their colleagues and leading to at least eight infections among members of Congress. It’s a situation that’s being replicated in workplaces around the country, as employees are […] Read the full article →
HR treats my autistic employee like he’s an incompetent child by Alison Green on February 8, 2021 A reader writes: I’m a newly-promoted manager and my very first hire, David, who just started a few weeks ago, recently told me he is on the autistic spectrum. (I had figured that previously during the hiring process, but it’s not like I could just diagnose him.) I approached our head of HR, Danielle, with […] Read the full article →