how can we make our benefits more inclusive? by Alison Green on October 13, 2022 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: Would you please consider throwing this out to the readers? Our U.S.-based organization wants to make our benefits offering more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We’re taking the steps outlined below, and, I wondered if the excellent AAM readers have any other ideas. 1) Expanded Medical […] Read the full article →
should the interviewer dress up, I can’t afford to go to an event recognizing my work, and more by Alison Green on October 13, 2022 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should the interviewer dress up? I’m a fairly senior manager interviewing candidates over Zoom for professional positions (e.g., accountants, lawyers) at my tech company. Our company is fairly informal and I generally wear t-shirts and hoodies and have my hair in a ponytail. But I’m […] Read the full article →
how to turn down “volunteer” (but not really) projects at work by Alison Green on October 12, 2022 A reader writes: Recently there was an email sent out in my office that said “Volunteers Needed.” It was to work shifts at an event with an organization that my company partners with. Nothing in the email made it sound like it was mandatory, so I just chose not to sign up. The organizer (a […] Read the full article →
should I use my maternity leave to set an example for other women? by Alison Green on October 12, 2022 A reader writes: I am pregnant and live in a state that lets me take maternity leave from 36 weeks pregnant to 18 weeks after the date I give birth. Not all of this is paid, but much of it is and I could take the rest unpaid or apply my banked PTO. approximately 10 […] Read the full article →
my company advertises every job all the time to make sure we know we can be replaced by Alison Green on October 12, 2022 A reader writes: I work at a mid-sized company in a highly competitive field where turnover is usually very high, and most positions are either sales-focused or service-based with a few office/administrative occupations making up the roster. The sales openings do not require any specific training, while the service positions are considered skilled trade jobs […] Read the full article →
spooky spider dilemma, coworker texts while driving, and more by Alison Green on October 12, 2022 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. A spooky spider dilemma I work at an after-school club, and I am in charge of organizing the Halloween party this year. One of my assistants, Hanna, has a fear of spiders. I was aware of this, but only in a peripheral way — in […] Read the full article →
our new admin crashed the company car and lied about it by Alison Green on October 11, 2022 A reader writes: I’m sending this question on behalf of my husband, who owns a small business. He had a new admin manager/personal assistant, Pam, start about a month ago. So far she has been excellent — on the ball, great communicator, well organized, and liked by everyone in the company. She comes with lots […] Read the full article →
how to work with clients who can’t make up their minds by Alison Green on October 11, 2022 A reader writes: I work as a designer and recently have had clients who cannot make up their minds. I end up going in circles with designs. It feels like an endless game of whack-a-mole, they ask for X, I give them X, but now they really want Y, so I give them Y, but […] Read the full article →
I was hit on at a conference … was I too friendly? by Alison Green on October 11, 2022 A reader writes: My spouse and I are in the same field and usually attend conferences together. Generally we don’t spend that much time together at conferences, touching base a couple of times throughout the day (often mostly via text) and then having dinner and going to the room together, but people know we’re married. […] Read the full article →
employee quit after decorating expense disaster, can my wealthy family donate to my nonprofit employer, and more by Alison Green on October 11, 2022 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Employee quit after decorating expense disaster I hired an employee in February. When she started, our reception area and conference room were very bare, and I gave her a budget of $3,000 to decorate the office. I gave her two company credit cards to use, […] Read the full article →