what are your best tips for attending professional conferences? by Alison Green on July 27, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a question that seems like it would be well-suited for an Ask the Readers. I am looking for tips about attending professional conferences. In particular, I am a grad student who is entering a new field and there is a one-day conference that […] Read the full article →
an affair with cocaine and lies is tanking my promotion, is my email address a problem, and more by Alison Green on July 27, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. An office affair with cocaine and lies is tanking my promotion I work in a tiny company with no HR and a manager who openly plays favorites. Two people (both not single) are involved in a sexual relationship that involves doing cocaine at work (this […] Read the full article →
how much transparency does a manager owe employees in an internal hiring process? by Alison Green on July 26, 2023 A reader writes: I recently went through a hiring process for a promotion within my department. The interview phase has been over for five weeks, and I suspect that another colleague, Micah, was unofficially offered the role — and unofficially accepted it — about four weeks ago, but due to what’s been described as HR […] Read the full article →
I’m worried my team will fall apart if I take maternity leave by Alison Green on July 26, 2023 A reader writes: I’ve been offered a promotion to lead my department, but I have also been trying to start a family with my husband for one year (with many failed attempts, loss, and much heartbreak). My company is aware of my plans but still wanted me for the position. However, if I get pregnant […] Read the full article →
my coworkers demand a response to every single email — even thank you’s by Alison Green on July 26, 2023 A reader writes: I have a small cultural issue at work that is driving me crazy and takes a not-insignificant amount of bandwidth out of my busy schedule. My workplace is comprised of 70% EU employees, 30% US. We are a mid-sized company with a high volume of work in an industry that bridges the […] Read the full article →
director secretly hired her daughter’s boyfriend, dealing with a needy customer, and more by Alison Green on July 26, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Director secretly hired her daughter’s boyfriend I recently found out a former director hired her daughter’s boyfriend but went to great lengths to hide it from me (the CEO) and their team for over two years. The boyfriend was originally hired on a short-term contract […] Read the full article →
how do I recover after an employee took advantage of my trust? by Alison Green on July 25, 2023 A reader writes: I manage a small team of remote, non-exempt employees. One of them, Jane, recently resigned, right before being put on a formal improvement plan for performance issues. On her last day told the rest of the team how she was able to take care of personal matters (e.g. attend happy hours, nail […] Read the full article →
this is how to write a cover letter that will get you a job by Alison Green on July 25, 2023 I’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible – and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, […] Read the full article →
the organization I volunteer with is exploding in drama and rage-quitting — what should I do? by Alison Green on July 25, 2023 A reader writes: I’ve always loved horses and owned two for several years. A few years ago, after my last horse died of natural causes, I reached out to a local not-for-profit that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for veterans, physically challenged children and adults, etc. to donate leftover feed, saddles, etc. I was really […] Read the full article →
applicant used mom as a reference, should I apologize for laughing at my coworker’s language slip, and more by Alison Green on July 25, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Applicant used mom as a reference I manage a small team that often includes Americorps volunteers. Americorps members commit a year of their time to service doing capacity-building at nonprofits or within government. They receive a stipend that is decent for our area and an […] Read the full article →