my employee wants constant praise and support by Alison Green on January 10, 2022 A reader writes: I’m struggling with how much of a cheerleader I need to be for my team. I am not a person who needs a lot of cheerleading myself. Give me my tasks, the tools I need to accomplish those tasks, and a “good job” when warranted – that’s all I need. However, one […] Read the full article →
I got in trouble for wearing the same dress every day by Alison Green on January 10, 2022 A reader writes: I have a question about work attire and what I consider my “work uniform.” I work in a professional office of about 12 people. We’re in a small town and therefore are a bit more casual. The office dress code is officially business casual, and we have casual Fridays where most people, […] Read the full article →
my slacker coworkers make more work for me, constant trainings disrupt my job, and more by Alison Green on January 10, 2022 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I’m asked to do more work because my slacker coworkers won’t I’ve been in my current job for four years and have taken the time to learn things on my own so that I can do a good job. When volunteers are solicited, I step […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – January 8-9, 2022 by Alison Green on January 8, 2022 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: Dava Shastri’s Last Day, by Kirthana Ramisetti. A wealthy philanthropist brings her family to a private island to disclose her terminal illness and plans for her […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on January 7, 2022 It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I have read your column, and recommended it to others, for YEARS. I’m so excited to say I finally have an update to provide. I worked in state government for nearly two decades. Fairly draconian ethics laws in our state make it nearly impossible to find work in the […] Read the full article →
open thread – January 7-8, 2022 by Alison Green on January 7, 2022 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 →
can I tell interviewers my hobby is drinking, going from scruffy to polished at work, and more by Alison Green on January 7, 2022 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Can I tell interviewers that my hobby is drinking? I noticed that a relatively common interview question is “Do you have any hobbies? / What do you do on weekends?” Or even, “How do you relieve stress?” My answer is: Drinking. And it’s not binge drinking. […] Read the full article →
was our workshop facilitator too controlling? by Alison Green on January 6, 2022 A reader writes: I recently spent a week away at a workshop, with about 20 other people. It was in a remote place related to the topic of discussion (we’re ecologists). The venue was a bit big, and there was a 10-minute walk each between the meeting place, the eating place, and the place where […] Read the full article →
updates: I used to drink on the job with my new boss, the pushy mother-in-law, and more by Alison Green on January 6, 2022 Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. My new boss is someone I used to drink on the job with Monica started yesterday and one of the bosses gave her a tour and did brief introductions. When she got to me, she said “Nice to meet you.” I just said “Thank you, you too” […] Read the full article →
are employers really so eager to hire right now? by Alison Green on January 6, 2022 We keep hearing that employers are desperate, can’t find good workers, and jobs are going unfilled … so if you’re currently job-searching, how does that match up with your own experience? Based on my mail, lots of people are still getting ignored by employers … or offered laughably low salaries … or seeing ads requiring […] Read the full article →