January 2022

my employee wants constant praise and support

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 […]

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I got in trouble for wearing the same dress every day

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, […]

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weekend open thread – January 8-9, 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 […]

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it’s your Friday good news

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 […]

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open thread – January 7-8, 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. * […]

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was our workshop facilitator too controlling?

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 […]

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are employers really so eager to hire right now?

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 […]

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