can I ask my employee not to put papers on my desk? by Alison Green on August 3, 2023 A reader writes: My desk is (shamefully) extremely messy, both with crumbs and stray papers. I clean it once a week, but I’m not a naturally neat person. However, my direct report, Lauren, is very neat and loves physical media. If I send her a Slack message, she’ll show up at my desk with a […] Read the full article →
updates: the private movie screening, the group chat, and more by Alison Green on August 3, 2023 Here are four updates from past letter-writers. 1. Can I invite only women and LGBTQ+ coworkers to a private movie screening? I’m the letter writer who wrote to you about organizing a private screening of a movie. I ended up not inviting any colleagues. I’m relatively senior in our office, so I decided to avoid […] Read the full article →
let’s talk about unusual office traditions by Alison Green on August 3, 2023 One of the most interesting things about offices is how they develop their own subcultures, complete with rituals and traditions. Here are some interesting office traditions that have been shared here in the past: •. For close to 15 years now, dressing up as one of your coworkers has been a Halloween tradition where I […] Read the full article →
coworker’s Facebook is filled with gross imagery, custodian says we have fleas but we do not, and more by Alison Green on August 3, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker’s Facebook is filled with gross imagery I have just started a new mid-level professional job at a large company. One of my colleagues (“Michael”) seems to have taken a shine to me and to be honest we get on well in a work […] Read the full article →
interviewer asked what my best friend would say my worst habit is by Alison Green on August 2, 2023 A reader writes: I’m a recent college graduate and last week I had my first job interview that wasn’t for a retail or food service position. I found some of the interviewer’s questions odd and I wanted to get the opinion of someone more experienced. If it matters, I’m a young woman looking to enter […] Read the full article →
how do I tell job applicants that their parents are hurting their chances? by Alison Green on August 2, 2023 A reader writes: I recruit for a large company that staffs festivals, conventions, and sporting events. A lot of our applicants are young university graduates or recent high school graduates, ranging from 18-21. Our younger candidates will have their parent(s) call on their behalf, asking why an application is taking so long, why they didn’t […] Read the full article →
our anti-bullying consultant accused me of bullying him by Alison Green on August 2, 2023 A reader writes: The research department at my workplace has a bully and I was recently asked to look into workshops to address it. Emma, my coworker and friend, is also aware of the issues, which have been going on for years without action from management. Emma was frustrated as she had brought the issues […] Read the full article →
I’m making $47,000 less than my male coworker, coworker is vandalizing my car, and more by Alison Green on August 2, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m making $47,000 less than my male coworker Gathering up my courage, I recently asked a newly hired coworker what his salary was (I am female). He was willing to share, and we discovered that I make $47,000 less than he does. We have the […] Read the full article →
should I give feedback to our interns who come across as TOO peppy and enthusiastic? by Alison Green on August 1, 2023 A reader writes: Each year my workplace takes on summer legal interns. Most have finished one year of law school This is often their first exposure to a legal department, and sometimes their first job. I occasionally give them projects and am asked for my feedback by their supervisor, but have never have any direct […] Read the full article →
my coworkers interrupt me no matter what I’m doing by Alison Green on August 1, 2023 A reader writes: I work in a small organization of about 25 people. I was promoted a few years ago. Now that I am the official conduit to the owner, the staff come to me to ask questions, throw around ideas, and chat about their lives. In most respects, this works fine. The owner and […] Read the full article →