open thread – February 17-18, 2023 by Alison Green on February 17, 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 →
how do I quit my volunteer job, explaining a wardrobe emergency, and more by Alison Green on February 17, 2023 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. How do I quit volunteer work I’ve been doing for a decade? I informally volunteer for a nonprofit. I live near an environmental feature they want tested routinely. The job started by me calling them to ask a question about that feature. They said they […] Read the full article →
how do I tell interviewers why I’m leaving my job without badmouthing my employer? by Alison Green on February 16, 2023 A reader writes: Is it badmouthing an employer if it is the truth? I have worked at my current job for almost 15 years. My boss is an attorney in a solo practice. He is planning to retire at the end of this year. In the past five years, he has gone from five employees […] Read the full article →
updates: the “low ego” job posting, getting reimbursed for parking, and more by Alison Green on February 16, 2023 Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. Job posting asks for candidate with “low ego” (#5 at the link) I did take the job that said the ideal candidate would have a “low ego.” Turns out that means “willing to turn a blind eye to manager’s backhanded/ passive aggressive comments” and “unconcerned with career […] Read the full article →
is your field accurately portrayed in movies and on TV? by Alison Green on February 16, 2023 Let’s talk about how your field is represented — or more likely, misrepresented — on TV and movies or books. Are you a lawyer who’s horrified by legal dramas? A nurse who can’t stand to watch ER? A teacher who is trying to wrap your mind around Glee? Is there any media that does portray […] Read the full article →
micromanaging goodbye emails, overhead lighting wars, and more by Alison Green on February 16, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My company wants to micromanage internal goodbye emails Since we’ve had new leadership come into my small nonprofit organization, one of many new policies implemented by Head Boss is a requirement that any staff leaving the company must have their “all-staff goodbye” message reviewed and […] Read the full article →
this is about my mom by Alison Green on February 15, 2023 This is not a work post. My mother woke up one morning last July itching all over her body, from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. She called me and I told her it was probably bug bites and her body’s antihistamine response was just misfiring. It was not bug […] Read the full article →
my employees tell me what they’re doing, rather than asking permission by Alison Green on February 15, 2023 A reader writes: I am a fairly new manager for a small team of creatives. I have noticed that when my team has a request, they have almost all have a habit of making it a statement rather than a question. For example: “I have to come in a hour late on Tuesday,” or “I’m […] Read the full article →
I was told to stop knitting in a training class … but I knit so I can focus by Alison Green on February 15, 2023 A reader writes: I had a knee-jerk reaction to a situation. Could you please advise me on handling it maturely? I can be fidgety and while I do well overall in classroom environments, I can have a hard time listening while sitting still (I start thinking of other things and/or get drowsy quickly) and have […] Read the full article →
should I tell my employees I might get fired, coworker is a kiss-ass, and more by Alison Green on February 15, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Should you tell your employees you’re on an improvement plan? I’m a manager in a technical field. Recently I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). I have a handful of weeks to demonstrate an improvement or I get fired. One of my primary PIP […] Read the full article →