how do I stop bringing work stress home with me? by Alison Green on November 16, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I work a full-time corporate job and am a manager. I have a fair amount of stress related to my job, but I don’t believe it’s above the norm, in relation to other jobs I have. In terms of stakes, I’m not in charge of […] Read the full article →
the prize for our tree decorating contest is baby clothes, I accidentally recommended a smutty book to my boss, and more by Alison Green on November 16, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. The prize for our tree decorating contest is … baby clothes My office does a “Best Holiday Tree” decorating competition based on department. Everyone is encouraged to decorate their department’s trees using office supplies. It has been popular for several years. The winning department, based […] Read the full article →
when are potlucks a bad idea? by Alison Green on November 15, 2023 A reader writes: My office is doing a potluck for Thanksgiving. We are a company with just over 100 people. I have dietary restrictions, so I asked if there would be a sign-up so I’d know in advance if I could eat anything. HR declined, saying they don’t want people to feel pressured to bring […] Read the full article →
my employee identifies proudly as a grump by Alison Green on November 15, 2023 A reader writes: I manage a small team of creative people and we all have different work styles (as defined during a company-wide professional growth workshop.) One team member has so strongly identified with her more aggressive and direct work style that I find she is using it as a crutch to excuse bad behavior […] Read the full article →
my coworker’s white fragility is getting in the way of DEI discussions, and other questions about race by Alison Green on November 15, 2023 It’s part two of our discussion with Michelle Silverthorn! Michelle is the founder and CEO of Inclusion Nation, a recognized keynote speaker on inclusion and belonging, and the author of the best-selling book, Authentic Diversity: How to Change the Workplace for Good. Sign up for Monday Mornings with Michelle, her weekly newsletter with practical steps for allyship at […] Read the full article →
my boss is sleeping with my nemesis, I’m about to go on vacation and just used all my PTO on the flu, and more by Alison Green on November 15, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is sleeping with my nemesis I have regular conflict with a team manager, Jane, who is employed at the same level as me in our workplace hierarchy and is sort of my nemesis. She has denied my requests for us to have regular […] Read the full article →
my awful coworker’s employees want me to help them by Alison Green on November 14, 2023 A reader writes: My counterpart — let’s call him John — and I each manage workers who are part of various teams in the same department. Some of John’s employees recently approached me with concerns about his management style. From what I can gather, after being moved to these employees’ team to “help them out” […] Read the full article →
this is how to be a good interviewer by Alison Green on November 14, 2023 So, you’ve been asked to interview someone, and you’re not sure where to start. Maybe it’s your first time on the interviewer’s side of the desk, or maybe you’ve hired before with less than desirable results. Maybe you’ve been faced with bad interviewers yourself and you want to avoid making someone else suffer through that […] Read the full article →
my boss wouldn’t work with me because she was upset I adopted from foster care by Alison Green on November 14, 2023 A reader writes: I work in higher education, and something happened to me at my last job that never sat right with me. I was hired at a large research university to work in a specialized program providing one-on-one support for students. I was a tutor, and all the tutors in my center had terminal […] Read the full article →
I’m in trouble for badging in and then going back home, coworker made a pass at me, and more by Alison Green on November 14, 2023 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I’m in trouble for badging in, then going back home My large corporate employer is coming down hard on people who aren’t returning to the office in person. I’ve been badging in the required three times a week, but now I’m being investigated because I’ve […] Read the full article →