update: a “thought experiment” is causing a cold war in my office by Alison Green on July 24, 2023 Remember the letter-writer who worked in an office where a lunchtime “thought experiment” had caused a cold war? Here’s the update. Thank you for answering my question. I want to update you, because even though it was difficult, after reflection I did see your point about previous disinclination toward Carrie before the thought experiment conversation. […] Read the full article →
what to do if your workload is too high by Alison Green on July 24, 2023 Feeling like your workload is too high? Here’s a round-up of posts about what to do. the basics help! my workload is too high and I’m burning out I’m burned out and overworked and my bosses keep piling more work on me I’ve been overworked for months and my manager won’t help is my workload […] Read the full article →
how do I navigate being naked around employees in a locker room? by Alison Green on July 24, 2023 A reader writes: I wanted to get your take on being nude in the workplace, specifically within a locker room setting. I work at an upscale health and wellness facility that‘s known for exceptional locker rooms. The locker rooms have beautiful cedar wood saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, hot tubs, rainfall showers … you name it, […] Read the full article →
my coworker tries to drown out my music with her own, propping your foot up on your desk, and more by Alison Green on July 24, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. We take turns choosing music but my coworker tries to drown mine out I work in a compounding pharmacy and we are allowed to play music in our compounding room. The room is about 30 feet by 10 feet in size, so not huge. On […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – July 22-23, 2023 by Alison Green on July 21, 2023 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: The Truth and Other Hidden Things, by Lea Geller. After moving for her husband’s job, a woman begins writing an anonymous newspaper column about […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on July 21, 2023 It’s your Friday good news! 1. “I’m the letter writer who wrote in about the board games group with the problematic member and then with a happy update about that situation. The games group continues to thrive, with about 18 people every session now, and we’ve been able to reduce the cost per session to use […] Read the full article →
open thread – July 21-22, 2023 by Alison Green on July 21, 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 →
is my employee lying to avoid coming into the office, convention center won’t turn down the music, and more by Alison Green on July 21, 2023 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I think my employee is lying to avoid coming into the office I am a manager in a small education nonprofit setting. We have a hybrid model and are in the office Mondays and Fridays. The in-office days are important for the service we provide. […] Read the full article →
my old job won’t stop asking me to come back by Alison Green on July 20, 2023 A reader writes: I recently left my job as a team lead. I’d been frustrated for a long time with my role, my workload, the organization’s culture, and my manager’s oversight of my team and me. I was very open about all of this with my manager, as well as the impact that stress was […] Read the full article →
can we ask job candidates to follow our scent-free policy at interviews? by Alison Green on July 20, 2023 A reader writes: The admin team at the front of our office is very sensitive to strong smells (good or bad). Our company is currently hiring for an off-site position, but the interviews are happening in our office. The last few candidates who have come in for interviews have been bathed in perfume, to the […] Read the full article →