open thread – January 20-21, 2023 by Alison Green on January 20, 2023 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 →
my boss refuses to speak to me during my notice period, who says when I can work from home, and more by Alison Green on January 20, 2023 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is refusing to talk to me during my notice period I’ve been at my company now for over five years. It’s a very small company (less than10 employees), and my role is second-in-command to the company’s founder. Late last year, I accepted a […] Read the full article →
I had to deal with a sick toddler and a vomiting dog while doing a video interview by Alison Green on January 19, 2023 A reader writes: I am a mom to a 2.5 year old and, due to the obstacles of trying to work in a pandemic with a small child, sought a part-time role and started with a new employer in March of last year. I really like this company, and recent opportunities for growth and my […] Read the full article →
update: is it unprofessional to wear the same clothing item twice in a work week? by Alison Green on January 19, 2023 Remember the letter-writer who asked whether it’s unprofessional to wear the same clothing item twice in a work week? Here’s the update. I wrote that email to you regarding my (thankfully) now former boss. It was not the first time she had made weird comments about my appearance, or money issues, etc. But I was […] Read the full article →
how can I get used to cube life again? by Alison Green on January 19, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I just started a new job in a new city after realizing during the pandemic I wanted to live in a different part of the country. I worked completely remotely for most of the last two years because my previous organization was very Covid-cautious, but […] Read the full article →
board member’s husband should not attend an event for children, boss calls people names, and more by Alison Green on January 19, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Our board member’s husband should not attend an event for children I work for an advocacy nonprofit and we are in a delicate situation with the spouse of a board member and organization co-founder, Beth. A few months ago, Beth’s husband, Tom, was arrested on […] Read the full article →
my ex-boss threatened to contact my husband, his coworkers, and my father-in-law if I don’t return $48 of office supplies by Alison Green on January 18, 2023 A reader writes: I received an email today from my prior boss (I left in November) requiring that I return equipment. However, there was no loaned equipment or return equipment clause that even existed for me to sign. They never provided me with anything outside of a $48 office supplies order from Amazon that included […] Read the full article →
how to answer when a job candidate asks, “how did I do?” by Alison Green on January 18, 2023 A reader writes: Lately at the end of interviews, I’ve had people asking me how they did in the interview. Everyone who has asked me this question hasn’t done very well. I think it’s a really awkward question that puts the interviewer on the spot. What’s your take? What’s the best way to respond to […] Read the full article →
getting people to use the right pronouns, finding trans-friendly workplaces, and trans-inclusive hiring by Alison Green on January 18, 2023 Today Kalani Keahi Adolpho and Stephen G. Krueger join us to answer questions about trans and gender diverse inclusion at work. Kalani (they/them or he/him) and Stephen (ey/em or he/him) are the authors of the Trans Advice Column. In their day jobs, both are academic librarians who also write and present on trans and gender diverse […] Read the full article →
I’m being used as free doggy daycare, interviewer refused to give me his last name, and more by Alison Green on January 18, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m being used as free doggy daycare I feel I may be being used as free doggy daycare. I like dogs, and don’t mind walking an office dog occasionally. But a lawyer who no longer works at my office sometimes drops her dog off without […] Read the full article →