open thread – February 24-25, 2023 by Alison Green on February 24, 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 →
assistant became abusive when she wasn’t invited to a meeting, my coworkers don’t check on people who are out sick, and more by Alison Green on February 24, 2023 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Our assistant turned abusive when she wasn’t invited to a meeting I work in a small office (five owners/managers, including me, and three assistants). Three of the managers are siblings, and one assistant, Kate, is the cousin of one of the managers. For years, we […] Read the full article →
my former boss won’t leave me alone by Alison Green on February 23, 2023 A reader writes: I currently have a full-time job as a manager in an industry that is a very small world. I’ve worked here for three years, and I love it. My question concerns a boss I had at the previous company where I worked, Bob. He wants to stay in touch. I don’t. When […] Read the full article →
update: how can I turn down training requests from my clients? by Alison Green on February 23, 2023 Remember the letter-writer who asked how to turn down training requests from clients who wanted her to basically train them in how to do her job (#4 at the link)? Here’s the update. I want to thank you for your advice. You redirected my aimless thrashing around and laser-focused me on what I needed to […] Read the full article →
how do you handle being pregnant at work? by Alison Green on February 23, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m about eight weeks pregnant. My spouse and I are very excited! BUT, the realities of Growing A Human have hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m dealing with constant nausea, and really intense fatigue — as well as all the weird little things […] Read the full article →
assigning women extra work to “help” them, calling out when you’re in the ER, and more by Alison Green on February 23, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. To help women, we assign them extra work and penalize them if they don’t do it I work for a large organization that tries to be proactive about diversity and inclusion. One if their iniatives seems wrong to me. To provide women with better resume […] Read the full article →
as a manager, should I not wear a “childless” shirt in my off-hours? by Alison Green on February 22, 2023 A reader writes: This is a low-stakes question and one that’s more philosophical than imminent, but I’ve been curious about your take on it for a couple weeks now and decided to write in. A women-focused satire site has been advertising me a pullover sweatshirt that says CHILDLESS in big letters across the front. Could […] Read the full article →
should I be so emotionally drained by managing? by Alison Green on February 22, 2023 A reader writes: I manage in a manufacturing environment, leading a team of about 40 headcount altogether. I love my job and my company, and most of the time my work feels rewarding. I work hard to be an effective coach, identify the needs of my team and help them to achieve success. Like anyone […] Read the full article →
I supervise a manager who falsified an employee write-up … but I don’t think she should be fired by Alison Green on February 22, 2023 A reader writes: My manager recently overruled me on a firing decision and it is not sitting right with me. I’m a division manager. I manage all the teams within my division. I report to Manny, the departmental manager. He manages all the divisions in our department. Our office employees were all remote from March […] Read the full article →
getting out of shared intern housing, why are so many executives condescending, and more by Alison Green on February 22, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Getting out of shared housing for interns I’m about to graduate from college and I’ve been looking at internships targeting recent grads, as well as entry-level jobs, Some of these, including one I’m very interested in, ask interns to share a house and do group […] Read the full article →