I’m hypersensitive to criticism — how do I fix this? by Alison Green on September 21, 2021 I’m on vacation today. This was originally published in 2018. A reader writes: I am currently working as a receptionist for the next few months until I complete my schooling. I have been dealing with what I can only describe as hypersensitivity when it comes to feedback or criticism about my work. When I hear […] Read the full article →
I disabled my coworker’s caps-lock key, employee calls me his “manageress,” and more by Alison Green on September 21, 2021 I’m on vacation today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. I was fired after disabling my coworker’s caps-lock key I just finished my sophomore year of college. For the summer, I got a three-month internship at a company that does work […] Read the full article →
update: should I explain I quit on my second day because my coworker was overwhelmingly difficult? by Alison Green on September 20, 2021 Remember the letter-writer who quit on her second day because her coworker was horrible (and who, among other problems, gave her 45 minutes of training how to switch on a standard light switch) and kept getting approached by board members who wanted to know the real reason she left? Here’s the update. After I read […] Read the full article →
can I tell clients I don’t talk on the phone? by Alison Green on September 20, 2021 A reader writes: I run my own small graphic design business. I work with some regular clients, but a lot of my work is one-off projects for small business clients. I’m always open to new clients, though I also have a steady stream of work, enough to be comfortable. Here’s the problem: often, a client […] Read the full article →
I was fired for taking initiative (and undermining my manager) by Alison Green on September 20, 2021 I’m on vacation today. This was originally published in 2016. A reader writes: Last summer, I decided to re-enter the workforce after five years of raising my kids. I applied to a bunch of jobs that I thought I could do, and got an interview at this one very small company (~20 employees). The people I interviewed with […] Read the full article →
drunken scene at a coworker’s wedding, I said something profane to my boss, and more by Alison Green on September 20, 2021 I’m on vacation today. Here are some past letters that I’m making new again, rather than leaving them to wilt in the archives. 1. Team member caused a drunken scene at coworker’s wedding I am a team leader in a very small company. The team I manage only has two other members. A few weeks […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – September 18-19, 2021 by Alison Green on September 18, 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: Send for Me, by Lauren Fox. The story of a young woman in Germany on the brink of World War II, and her granddaughter who finds her […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on September 17, 2021 It’s your Friday good news! 1. I have read you over the years, and I’ve been fortunate over the last 2 years to have been consistently employed during a whirlwind of a time. About 6 months ago, even though I was only 2 years into my current position, I got the itch to start moving […] Read the full article →
open thread – September 17-18, 2021 by Alison Green on September 17, 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 →
employer wouldn’t give me paid time off for Covid, my job won’t let me quit, and more by Alison Green on September 17, 2021 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My new employer wouldn’t give me paid time off to recover from Covid I started a new job a few months ago and it seemed to be going alright and my supervisor seemed to be happy with my work. Well, I recently came down with […] Read the full article →