weekend open thread – September 30-October 1, 2023 by Alison Green on September 29, 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 Whispers, by Ashley Audrain. A neighborhood tries to figure out what happened when the young son of a woman known for losing her […] Read the full article →
it’s your Friday good news by Alison Green on September 29, 2023 It’s your Friday good news! 1. “Last year, I was in a very toxic job — my boss was not very good at his job and had constant turnover, and I ended up doing work that was very much not what I wanted to be doing (think taking over the very routine stuff after yet […] Read the full article →
open thread – September 29-30, 2023 by Alison Green on September 29, 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 →
I didn’t get hired because I wasn’t “high energy” enough, telling a coworker to rein in their aggravation, and more by Alison Green on September 29, 2023 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I didn’t get hired because I wasn’t “high energy” enough I interviewed with a start-up recently and I think it went well: the standard recruiter call, the hiring manager call, then a call with a would-be colleague who I’d work in parallel with. The day […] Read the full article →
how do I ask for things and get people to actually help me (as a manager and as a volunteer)? by Alison Green on September 28, 2023 A reader writes: In my both professional and personal life, I notice a common theme, and I’m wondering what I’m doing wrong. I manage people in my work life, and am the chair of a not-for-profit in my personal life. In both situations, I notice that I have a lot of difficulty getting people to […] Read the full article →
how do you find a lawyer for workplace issues? by Alison Green on September 28, 2023 A reader writes: You’ve written before about the scenarios where it might be wise to speak to a lawyer regarding issues at work. Could you talk a little bit about how to find a lawyer for that kind of thing? Is there a speciality or title folks should be looking for? Is it just a […] Read the full article →
share your tips for work travel overseas by Alison Green on September 28, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m going to be traveling for work (30+ hours of flights including layovers) after a few-year hiatus related to the pandemic. I usually fly overseas and I’m wondering if the readers have any travel tips? I usually try to pack food after getting food poisoning […] Read the full article →
my boss’s speeches are way too long, etiquette when you’re next to a cougher, and more by Alison Green on September 28, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss’s speeches are way too long The head of our office is frequently invited to give opening remarks at events, and our new boss is very passionate about speaking … to the point where he is just talking way too much. To give two […] Read the full article →
an employee 2 levels down refused to meet with me by Alison Green on September 27, 2023 A reader writes: I am a division director at a large organization. I have three direct reports who collectively oversee about 30 staff, at levels ranging from entry-level, hourly office admins to seasoned managers earning six-figure salaries. Every year, I meet once one-on-one with everyone who is not on my leadership team just to check […] Read the full article →
my intern asked if my pregnancy was planned by Alison Green on September 27, 2023 A reader writes: I’m pregnant with my first child. I’m just finishing my first trimester and have been sharing the news with colleagues. I’m wondering what, if anything, I should do in response to my intern’s reaction. Like everyone else I manage, I told her one-on-one behind closed doors. Her response was really odd — […] Read the full article →