how can I take time off when my team needs it more? by Alison Green on November 22, 2022 A reader writes: I like to take vacation during the popular times that everyone likes to — spring break, 4th of July, and Christmas. The problem is that the small team I manage also likes to take that time off. We have a specialized skill set. My boss has no experience in this space — […] Read the full article →
I saw a coworker’s email complaining about me, delayed written offer, and more by Alison Green on November 22, 2022 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker accidentally sent me an email complaining about me My colleague and I manage two teams that perform the a similar function and effectively have to job share our role to keep the business ticking along effectively. We have sizable teams and the role […] Read the full article →
the Thanksgiving tyrant, the very special salad, and other stories of potlucks at work by Alison Green on November 21, 2022 All this week to get us in the holiday spirit, I’m going to be featuring holiday stories readers have shared here in the past … and then updates season will start next week! To kick us off, here are 12 of my favorite stories you shared about potlucks and other food gatherings at work earlier […] Read the full article →
how to ensure a religious new hire won’t proselytize at work by Alison Green on November 21, 2022 A reader writes: I just completed a second interview with a job candidate who is looking like a great fit. However, she doesn’t have much recent job experience, so has used her demanding and rigorous volunteer work with her religious organization very heavily to highlight her strengths and flexibility. While I am impressed, some of […] Read the full article →
my coworker wants me to do all the work he sends me ASAP, even when I have higher priorities by Alison Green on November 21, 2022 A reader writes: I’m a project manager at a nonprofit. We’re desperately understaffed, so I am wearing many hats right now, including in the general operations area. Most of the things I work on have deadlines and are necessary for us to function as a healthy organization and to support our mission. “Ned” heads a […] Read the full article →
my company wants remote employees to take a pay cut, free tuition for employees’ kids, and more by Alison Green on November 21, 2022 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My company wants remote employees to take a pay cut At a recent managers meeting for my company, we discussed our mandatory return to office, which will start early next year. It was mentioned that people who are working remotely from places not near one […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – November 19-20, 2022 by Alison Green on November 18, 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: Now Is Not the Time to Panic, by Kevin Wilson. Two teenagers cause panic in their small town with a mysterious poster, still reverberating 20 years […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on November 18, 2022 It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I wanted to finally provide my own good news. I started my toxic job 6 years ago, it didn’t start out as toxic but slowly became more and more so. I knew from reading your blog it was time to leave when I found myself fantasizing about getting injured […] Read the full article →
open thread – November 18-19, 2022 by Alison Green on November 18, 2022 It’s the Friday open thread! The comment section on this post is open for discussion with other readers on any work-related questions 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 take your questions to […] Read the full article →
how to guide teens toward career goals, coworker sent a dramatic all-team email after I asked for my chair back, and more by Alison Green on November 18, 2022 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. How can I help my teenagers figure out career goals? I have twin 10th graders, both intelligent and hard working. One has an idea of the field they want to go into and the other has no clue. I don’t know how to guide them […] Read the full article →