2024 posts Return to main archives January February March April May June July August September October November December December 2024updates: telling my boss I want his job, coworkers ask about my weight loss, and moreupdates: my coworker says he’s my boss but he’s not, and moreupdate: my awful coworker’s employees want me to help themcoworkers are attacking people over grammar, boss’s wife wants me to organize their house, and moreupdate: is it my job to manage a coworker’s feelings?update: my manager says my shyness is seen as rudenessupdate: I gave notice to our daycare provider and she freaked outcoworker tags CEO on Twitter to point out my mistakes, I don’t want to carpool, and moreweekend open thread – December 28-29, 2024open thread – December 27, 2024I got drunk and flipped out at a company dinner, coworker complained about my burping, and moreupdates: the nosy coworker, the quiet firing, and moreupdate: my boss says I should always be available on my days offupdate: our new boss is ruining the organization and is upset that I’m pushing backI don’t want my partner to take a job on my team, boss told me to be friendlier to my ex-BFF, and morethe best office holiday party date story of all timeupdate: my interviewer said an employee was unhappy he was interviewing meupdate: the black woman who was told to monitor her tone and not dominate conversationscoworker’s husband punched me after the Christmas party, can I wear burlesque makeup to my office party, and moreupdates: employee chews tobacco at his desk, old school’s awful mentoring program, and moreupdates: boss says I need to socialize more, coworker won’t talk to us, and moreupdate: my employee makes up words and is impossible to understandmost popular posts of 2024update: my employee is passing off ChatGPT lists as his own ideasemployee might give me drugs for Christmas, the office couple decided to swap jobs, and moreweekend open thread – December 21-22, 2024open thread – December 20, 2024employee’s outbursts might be hormonal, an overly friendly coworker, and moreupdates: my boss threatened himself, inappropriate music in a family-friendly store, and moreupdates: boss says parents can’t be good at their jobs, how to get coworkers to actually help, and moreupdate: I promoted one employee instead of her coworker, and now my whole team is upsetupdate: I’m in charge of our disgusting office kitchenmy favorite posts of 2024what’s your company doing for the holidays this year?director lied to HR about what I told him, fiance’s boss makes me cut her hair, and moreupdates: I don’t want to be pied in the face for work, and moreupdates: is my preferred name too cringy, banning money collections, and moreupdate: my boss is resentful when I do wellthe boudoir photos, the date from Shopko, and other stories of holidays at workshould I demote an employee who can’t do her job?update: how to tell my boss his second-in-commands are making it impossible for me to do my jobI don’t want to be in the middle of my coworker’s crush, a burping boss, and morea good news storyupdate: should I correct students who address me as Mrs.?update: is it OK to vacation with a friend from work?update: my coworker’s obsession with coffee is an all-day distractionupdates: custodian says we have fleas but we do not, and moreupdate: I’m buying a business — how do I tell one employee (who’s currently my coworker) that I’m not keeping her on?coworker doesn’t follow her own fragrance ban, son-in-law won’t show up on time, and moreupdates: new hire was upset about my maternity leave, asking assistant to check in before she leaves, and moreupdates: ex-boss wants to be my friend, telling my manager I can’t take work trips, and morea truly hilarious company holiday party story, told in bullet pointsupdate: colleague doesn’t wash his hands after he goes to the bathroom, and people are making it my problemour underage intern drank at the company partyupdate: I might run into the person whose life I ruined at a work eventthe worst boss of 2024 is…coworker is giving a colleague underwear in our Secret Santa, cooking a roast at work, and moreweekend open thread – December 14-15, 2024updates: the complaining coworker, the coworker who won’t share a file, and moreopen thread – December 13, 2024vote for the worst boss of 2024: the finalsboss goes through my things, haircut drama, and moreupdates: the out-of-control birthday celebrations, boss wants a timeline for my leaving, and moreupdates: work doesn’t interest me, bringing a sippy cup to work, and moreupdate: stably employed but internally screamingall of my 2024 book recommendationsmy employee is vaping on video callsoffice holiday gift-giving stories: worst gifts and weirdest giftsI have regular happy hours with only one of my employees, coworkers complain I’m not as fast as my predecessor, and moreupdates: boss keeps bringing sick child to work, manager keeps asking for rides home, and more“I will confront you by Wednesday of this week”update: my coworker is working alone overnight despite explicit instructions not toupdate: my patronizing coworker interrupts meetings to explain basic things to memy employee never apologizes for mistakesupdate: our anti-bullying consultant accused me of bullying himvote for the worst boss of 2024: round 2I sent an adversarial email, should I tell my coworkers I have hemorrhoids, and moreupdates: the damaged bookcase, showing armpit hair at work, and moreupdates: coworkers want me to spend the night at their house, employee refuses to do her job, and moreupdates: boss hired his emotionally unstable son, non-urgent texts in off-hours, and moreupdate: my employee keeps coming to work sickhow to survive your office holiday partyupdate: do I have to fire someone due to his lack of child care?boss talks to me like I’m a baby, coworker is making me late, and moreupdate: someone made a mean “self-evaluation” for my boss, and she’s punishing us allupdates: boss gave me hush money, don’t want to participate in my office’s steps challenge, and moreupdate: how much can I pet my cat on video calls?update: my performance evaluation is based on activities outside of work42 gift ideas for every type of employee on your teamupdate: I was asked to take down a family photovote for the worst boss of 2024I offended a client, asking a new hire to go by her last name, and moreweekend open thread – December 7-8, 2024updates: CEO is furious about my joke, boss keeps saying he loves me, and moremore on AI attending meetingsopen thread – December 6, 2024company asked if we’d donate a kidney, candy dish drama, and moreupdates: interviewer said my reading tastes were pretentious, problem employee lashed out at me, and moreupdates: working from a one-bedroom with a baby and nanny, the chatty employee, and moreupdates: doing a video training from bed, I can see an X-rated scene from my office window, and moreupdate: can I bring a friend-with-benefits back to my hotel on a work trip?update: owner won’t do anything about our terrible employeeshare your funniest office holiday storiesmy sister abused my employee discount, employee is too rushed in the morning, and moreupdate: can I have stickers on my wheelchair at work?updates: younger coworker thinks I don’t know about computers, people think coworker is having an affair, and moreupdates: employees are cuddling in staff meetings, unvaccinated new hire, and moreupdate: I organize orgies — can I talk about it in my job hunt?my assistant doesn’t know how to prioritizeupdate: my company secretly gives parents thousands of extra dollars in benefitsfriend won’t pay my cancellation fee, car alarm disrupts our office, and moreupdates: reported a coworker for hitting a child, the spooky question, and moreupdates: best friend is dating my employee, coworker tries to scare me, and moreupdates: the dog-sitter, coworker is taking credit for my work, and moreI feel exploited by my employeesupdate: can I do anything about my aggressive-driver coworker?drunk boss was angry I couldn’t drive him, coworker who’s afraid of clowns, and moreupdates: coworkers don’t know I’m married, tiny lunches, and moreupdates: Diet Coke as a religious accommodation, coworker loves shoplifting, and moreupdate: should I tell an employee I had a dream predicting his death?the schedule for updates this yearupdate: should I tell my employee she needs to give a clearer “no” to a client who’s interested in her?a nudist across from the office, a lease dispute with a former tenant’s manager, and more November 2024weekend open thread – November 30-December 1, 2024open thread – November 29, 2024Thanksgiving free-for-all – November 28, 2024Thanksgiving eve open threadthe potluck magician, the apricot thief, and other stories of holidays at workI’m being flooded with business offers by friends and familythe sandwich party, the goat shrine, and other unusual office traditionsmy boss called me a “rando,” security camera is pointed at my desk, and morethe bacon monitor, the baby boom, and other tales of holidays at workI have no idea what to get for the office gift exchangeI can’t advocate for myself without getting emotionalcoworker keeps snarking on the way I fold paper, “non-religious” holiday attire, and morethe boat party rations, the cook-off vote theft, and other food stories from workwe’re supposed to buy liquor and ski passes for our bossesI just found out my BFF has been my employee’s therapist for yearsboss runs hot and cold, collecting cash to give to staff, and moreweekend open thread – November 23-24, 2024open thread – November 22, 2024my boss hates that I blush a lot, I messed up a major project as my internship ended, and morehow do I network without being too transactional?how much socializing at work is too much?let’s talk about unusual office traditionsemployer hired a sex offender, being called a “mom” professionally, and moremy coworker’s constant interruptions make us all dread team callsis my employee taking advantage of the flexibility I give her?is my girlfriend’s CEO hitting on her?last year’s Christmas party was a disaster, what does “parking is provided” really mean, and morejob application is fixated on high school academic performanceI saw colleagues’ private messages mocking my weightI’m frustrated that my coworkers with kids work less than me, but I don’t want to cut backboss wants to dumb down my writing, telling a job-hunting relative he stinks, and morethe Rolodex hoarder, the used tea bags, and other stories of territorial behavior at worka federal judge has blocked the new overtime rulemy team member won’t stop talking about their Keto dietmy job made me a shocking counteroffer, how to meet people at a new job, and moreweekend open thread – November 16-17, 2024open thread – November 15, 2024rolling my eyes while giving feedback, company is forcing me to see their doctor to get prescription coverage, and moreis it better to quit without another job or be fired?updates: reading in the car on work trips, employer wants my book money, and morelet’s discuss territory-marking at workcan you be fired for making a pass at your boss’s spouse, volunteer dropped the ball, and moreour new boss is ruining the organization and is upset that I’m pushing backjob candidate says she would need to work for us secretlyour ex-CEO’s son can’t do his job and is overpaidmanager dislikes his new employee, firing an employee who went viral for attacking football fans, and morea team whose boss was AWOL for 2 years is angry and resentful nowthis is how to write a good cover lettermy boss treated me like her therapist … and it blew upasking to change desks because you don’t like someone, are typos in a draft a huge deal, and morewhen can I ask a potential employer about working remotely?Ask a Manager in the mediamy brother is my business partner and he keeps going MIAcoworker derails meetings, employer wanted a weekend interview, and moreweekend open thread – November 9-10, 2024open thread – November 8, 2024telling an employee his pants are too revealing, unannounced video calls, and morewas it reasonable to fire a new hire who was too overwhelmed to work on day 3?my intern keeps pushing for a full-time rolewhen office potlucks and catered parties go wrongasking candidates how to transport an elephant, a 10-year leak by my desk, and moremy Gen X coworker is trying to “grandma” the Zoomers and it’s getting weirdshould you require video on during team meetings?my dishonest employee blames technology when he messes upboss is always scratching his chest, drinking non-alcoholic beer at work, and morethe miniature diorama, the burn book, the gun, and other weird items left behind in desksmy employee panics when we spend moneyhow do I manage petty behavior between two employees who dislike each other?helping an awkward new employee, boss asked me to talk to a coworker about her cleavage, and morehow do you stay focused on work during anxiety-inducing world events?have a question about holidays at work?my boss thinks my employee is lying about having cancerI want to ask out our manager, my coworker sucks at his job, and moreweekend open thread – November 2-3, 2024open thread – November 1, 2024my boss wrote a poem about us but left people out, I doubt my boss’s nephew is really a genius, and more October 2024my boss says I do great work but won’t give me a raise after 3 yearsthe escape room, the haunted house, and other times Halloween at work went wrong (or right)what are the weirdest things you’ve found when cleaning out an old office or desk?manager says I have to come in despite a doctor’s note, boss interrupted me in the bathroom, and moresomeone is always crying in our morning meetingshow can I stay in touch with former coworkers?my drunk coworkers are gossiping about me not drinkingcoworker asked to borrow money, changing into pajamas as soon as you get home, and moreis it OK to ask my team to do working lunches?can I ask why my coworker was fired?at what point can I report my inappropriate and inflammatory coworker?can I opt out of AI assistants in meetings, potlucks with food-restricted coworkers, and morethe star guest got drunk at an event I was hostingHalloween at work can be a fright showI panicked and told my boss I miscarried when I actually didn’tgiving notice when boss is an abusive jerk, vendors keep sending unhealthy food, and moreweekend open thread – October 26-27, 2024open thread – October 25, 2024aggravating coworker, boss wanted me to share my LinkedIn login, and morehow do people handle highly visible workspaces?update: my new employee ran a background check on me and asked me about what he foundsucceeding at work if you’re neurodivergentemployer wants to see my family tree, coworker hawks up snot in the kitchen every day, and moremy boss keeps warning me she’ll get in trouble if I commit fraud (I’m not)where are you now? (a call for updates)new manager’s team hates her — but she says they’re the problemhow can I get out of group photos at work, interviewer asked what I’d do if I won $1 million, and morethe bread bag files, the dead language, and other broken but sacred systemsmy employee takes credit for the whole team’s workmy boss said I looked “unprofessional” when I wore a binder to workstaff member says I’m triggering their unresolved trauma, employee calls me his “lady boss,” and moremy coworker escalates EVERYTHING until she gets her wayis it weird to send work emails late at night?argumentative coworker always says, “repeat back to me the point I just made”colleague wants help raising money for a bad idea, CEO doesn’t want anonymous questions, and moreweekend open thread – October 19-20, 2024open thread – October 18, 2024coworker won’t answer any questions from my boss, “hey girl,” and moreis it OK for job postings to require a “clean-cut appearance”?how can I reject former coworkers applying for jobs with me?when terrible work systems become sacredam I too old-fashioned about how I schedule calls, feedback said my enthusiasm can seem too aggressive, and moreour in-office employees are upset that they have to use more sick days than our remote workersour new hires keep quitting after their first weekthe company I want to work for employs a guy who’s abusive to women on dating appsnew employee isn’t cut out for the job, former boss blasts his music, and morecoworker’s wife works remotely from our non-remote officehow to ask for a raise and get itnew manager is angry that I’m pregnantmy coworker does extreme sports when she’s out sick, asking to skip a performance review, and moremy coworker won’t stop telling me that I smellwe have public shamings about how often we say “um” and “uh”we say grace at team meals, is it unethical to automate people’s jobs away, and moreweekend open thread – October 12-13, 2024open thread – October 11, 2024new boss has a different work style, hanging a photo of the president in your office, and moremy boss says we can’t call out sick any sooner than 2 hours before our shiftupdate: boss wants us to do early-morning and evening meetings so he can attend from his vacationhave you seen Halloween go wrong at work?disgruntled ex-employee keeps contacting current staff, a toxic friend, and moremy abusive father is a beloved public figure — and we have to attend an event togethermy employee’s toddler screams in the background of work callsI manage my partner and he doesn’t know his job is being cutemployee thinks I’m sending “secret messages” about time off, coworker is annoyed I won’t stay late, and morehow do I live down a reputation for being “extra”?my community was destroyed by the hurricane — how do I function at work?my coworker insisted on inviting her sister to my weddinggroup member won’t stop talking, snack bar is in a coworker’s work area, and morethe avenging COO, the salary fix, and other stories of wrongs being rightedemployee is sending risqué photos of himself to his coworkersour coworker lied about having a sick child and a rich fiancemy office thinks I insulted a coworker, someone threw away my shoes, and moreweekend open thread – October 5-6, 2024open thread – October 4, 2024coworkers won’t help me cut expenses, colleague owes me money, and moremy coworker is setting toilet paper on fire in the bathroomupdates: former coworker stole my work, employer is revoking work-from-home, and morelet’s talk about times when someone righted someone else’s wrongboss got invited to our rowdy beach weekend, coworker is uncomfortable around my service dog, and moreI get angry when my coworkers make mistakeshow can I tell if I’m a good manager?I walked in on employees having sex — and I think there’s a sex club in my officecoworker whispers a daily affirmation to me, I don’t want my boss at my goodbye happy hour, and moreI’m in trouble for re-sorting a coworker’s trash — and I’m enragedemployee expects us all to attend her destination weddingmy coworker told me to stop flirting with a student employeecoworkers only ask me about ducks, sending flowers on someone’s first day of work, and more September 2024I’m ashamed of my past behavior at work — do I need to change fields?I share an office with someone who won’t stop talkingmy dad is dating my boss, and they want me to go to couples therapy with themcoworker is allergic to me because of my cats, referencing pop culture in an interview, and moreweekend open thread – September 28-29, 2024open thread – September 27, 2024coworker’s food restrictions mean that I’ll be the one restricted, saying you have to discuss an offer with your spouse, and moremy coworker is obsessed with us being happy all the timemy momliving in my boss’s spare bedroom, my employee lied about finishing high school, and moremy new employee ran a background check on me and asked me about what he foundLinkedIn is sharing your data with AI — unless you tell it not toI got fired for attending a conference that I wasn’t invited togiving extra time off to people who get married, rejected me because I was late for the interview, and moremy coworker apologizes All The Time — how can I get him to stop?should I promote an employee who doesn’t get along with coworkers?I’m intensely jealous of my coworkermy coworker was penalized for things I never said, junior employee keeps interrupting me, and morethis one weird trick cured my burn-outno one likes corporate team-buildingis it OK to have sex while working from home?employee wants us to pay for Ubers when they work late, does using a computer in meetings make me look bad, and moreweekend open thread – September 21-22, 2024open thread – September 20, 2024trainer had religious messages on his presentation screen, did my son’s friend’s dad share confidential data, and moreconference schedules are too F’ing longthe horrified new hires, the gift exchange revolt, and other times you pushed back as a group at workhow can I be a more gracious senior leader?coworker is angry that I advocated for myself, freelancer drama, and moremy boss was suddenly fired and my employees are freaking outis it ageist to tell an older team member they’re wrong?birthday cards are causing mayhem in our officeeveryone at my new job loves my high school bully, company wants us to pay for a work trip, and moremy coworker is upset that I didn’t tell her I’m pregnantmy job interview went great — why haven’t I heard back?I can’t travel because my cat is sick — and my boss and coworkers are unhappymy boss won’t do anything about my lazy team mate, client said I can’t talk to my coworker, and moremy “empath” coworker is kind of a jerkcan I ask coworkers why they didn’t hire my daughter?my coworker is dating a convicted pedophilecoworker scrolls on her phone in meetings, employee freezes out women who reject him, and moreweekend open thread – September 14-15, 2024open thread – September 13, 2024asking for a hotel room far from coworkers, asking about camera culture in an interviewwhen is it OK to quit without notice?a resigning employee gave me the best giftlet’s talk about times when speaking up as a group got something changed at workmy boss told me to be less harsh, ex-employee didn’t check the mail, and morea nonprofit kept badgering me to interview their disabled clientupdate: my boss reprimanded me for not answering an email … in four minutesmy employee is a great worker but she’s quiet and aloofmy boss asked us to hold him accountable for losing weight, employer is trying to get out of paying overtime, and moreis a reminder to vote too political?I can’t recommend the colleague who listed me as a referenceour boss hired his emotionally unstable son to work with uscoworker doesn’t listen, candidate assumed I was a man, and morethe pumpkin conspiracy, the illegitimate squirrel, and other office competitions gone baddo we have to accommodate a dieting employee?my husband’s boss was fired after he told the truth about her in an exit interviewis it weird to bring my toddler’s sippy cup to work, I don’t have time to answer a new hire’s questions, and moreweekend open thread – September 7-8, 2024open thread – September 6, 2024a dog-sitting job gone bad, delayed approval for time off, and moredoes posting sob stories on LinkedIn hurt your job search?my anxious employee wants daily reassurancelet’s discuss workplace contests gone awrydoctor’s office constantly leaves me on hold, coworker’s bare-bones emails, and moreupdate: my coworkers are engaged but one of them is cheating … with my bossthe cats of AAMmy employee exaggerates, gossips, and lied to get credit for a project she didn’t dorebuilding a team after an abusive manager, intervening with a creepy coworker, and morehow to respond when someone’s manager makes them apologize to youhow to answer “tell me about yourself” when the interviewer has my resume right in front of thememployer made us take fake lie detector tests to trap a stealing receptionistemployee sleeps too deeply when on-call, coworker is rude to my intern, and moreLabor Day open thread August 2024weekend open thread — August 31-September 1, 2024open thread – August 30, 2024man at our events monopolizes attendees, beverages on video calls, and morethe poorly kept secret, the all-staff email, and other stories of affair drama at workupdates: the racist comment, the late-paying client, and morehow can I get my email inbox under control?employee keeps sighing heavily, convincing coworkers I don’t want to make a career out of my hobby, and moreAsk a Manager speed roundcan I tell my intern she laughs too much?when your teenager dates your boss’s son and it goes bada defensive executive, work-from-home is being revoked but there’s a baby, and moremy coworker won’t use women’s namesspeed round — submit your questionscan I secretly book time off for my partner to take her on a surprise trip?survey asked about my boss’s mental health, avoiding a bone-crushing handshake, and morewhen you’re accepting a job offer, should you get any extra promises in writing?my employee cc’s me on too many emailsI’m in trouble for not answering a midnight phone call … for a non-emergency “emergency”is “junior” derogatory, struggling employee takes lots of time off, and moreweekend open thread — August 24-25, 2024open thread – August 23, 2024office music is too repetitive, coworker is taking advantage of flexibility, and morecandidates ask so many questions that our interviews are running over scheduleupdates: boss renegotiated my start date behind my back, meetings in the metaverse, and morewhen you work with cheaters: share your storiesemployee made a racist comment, my senior coworkers think I earn too much, and moreyour non-compete isn’t illegal after all (at least not yet)toll collectors, fear of being set on fire, and other things we believed about work when we were kidsI joked about a coworker’s slowness … and he overheardI’m worried a wedding vendor will complain about me to my bossis chest hair unprofessional, wife doesn’t want me to hire a woman, and moremy boss jokes about our bodies, our sex lives, our pregnancies, and moremy boss says I need to socialize more with my teamI found awful things my client said about memy mom called the CEO when I broke my ankle, I’m drowning in informational interviews, and moreI’ve been covering my coworker’s work for months because he’s going through a divorceyou can’t escape the office diet policemy coworker is telling people I spat in her coffee (I didn’t)am I too comfortable pumping at work, should you cite sources on a resume, and moreweekend open thread — August 17-18, 2024open thread – August 16, 2024employee won’t do part of his job, interviewing when they know they want to hire someone else, and moredo you still need a mailing address on your resume?update: my office argued for 5 months about whether I could have an ergonomic chairwhat weird things did you believe about work before you had a job?should I tell candidates about 2 dating employees, employee is posting videos about customers on social media, and morethe secret goat, the geese vs the CEO, and other stories of animals at workhow to respond to a volatile rejected job applicantmy employee is rude to colleagues — but some of them are rude to her toocan my husband hang out in my office, asking coworkers to treat me like “the talent,” and moreis it bad to request the top of the salary range?my employee keeps commenting on my looksmy company secretly gives parents thousands of extra dollars in benefitsemployer wants us to “volunteer” for groundskeeping, snubbed by a mentee, and moremy boss is pressuring me to work more hours … I just came back from stress leavehow to respond to “jokes” about age and weight at workmy team has been stealing from the companymy team has an all-male soccer betting pool, employer asks new hires to list all their prescriptions, and moreweekend open thread — August 10-11, 2024open thread – August 9, 2024job application asked if I’d accept the job, muscling in on a volunteer project, and morehow do I know if a job I’m interviewing for is a lateral move or a step up?I negotiated salary for the first time — and it worked!let’s discuss animals at workhusband doesn’t like my dedication to my job, which employee is lying, and morethe job interview bluff, the falsified ground beef, and other stories of people in holes who just kept diggingmy employee doesn’t read her emailmy coworkers are engaged but one of them is cheating … with my bossis liquor inappropriate at a work event that offers beer and wine, visitors want to use our employees-only bathroom, and moremy employee refuses to reveal her online statusI’m pregnant! how do I announce it at work?I yelled at my employees and they walked outcreepy coworker is following my wife, interviewers want to talk about my feelings after rejecting me, and moremy coworker keeps messaging me about my face during meetingsmy employee doesn’t have what it takes to do the job he wantsI was falsely accused of using ChatGPT for my workI was told to do less work, two of my employees hold private “accountability” meetings, and moreweekend open thread — August 3-4, 2024open thread – August 2, 2024employee isn’t as productive on her WFH days, politics on LinkedIn, and moreMortification Week: the security tape, the marital argument, and other stories to cringe overupdates: the disgruntled fired employee, the raise that didn’t come through, and morelet’s discuss people who find themselves in a hole and just keep diggingI think a company leader is faking his work history, a burned-out coworker, and more July 2024Mortification Week: the ageist insult, the exam room kiss, and other stories to cringe overupdate: how should I balance workplace red flags vs. the necessity to get a job?Mortification Week: the wrong translation, the Oompa Loompa, and other stories to cringe overis my girlfriend’s boss crossing a line, commenting on food expenses from a business trip, and moreMortification Week: the mustache party, the hat police, and other stories to cringe overmy employee texts me late at nightMortification Week: the lettuce hater, the stolen lunch, and other stories to cringe overretiring coworker took credit for our full product line, can I take off my shoes at work, and moreMortification Week: the hickeys, the rogue zipper, and other stories to cringe oversummer internship season is upon usMortification Week: the unexpected video call, the brain freeze, and other stories to cringe overboss won’t stop complaining about my maternity leave, team doesn’t read email, and moreweekend open thread — July 27-28, 2024open thread – July 26, 2024interviewer mocked my speech impediment, telling coworkers I’m having a baby unconventionally, and moreI got rejected from a job based on a trial task, and now I’m spiralingdon’t forget to scrutinize benefits when you’re considering a job offerlet’s talk about your mortifying moments at workI’m biased toward midwesterners, cleaning up after a reply-all email storm, and moremy boss is upset that I quit without more notice because I’m vital to the businessmy employee is monitoring other people’s workthe person who’s supposed to train me belittles me when I have questionscandidate no-showed for a high-level interview, leaving over a matter of conscience, and moremy interviewers interrupted my timed interview presentationmy job wants me to do public speaking … I don’t want tocan I report my boss for getting me sick?getting called a Nazi at work, coworker didn’t tell me he was applying for a promotion, and morethe napping hideout, the cat protector, and other stories of sleeping at workhow to tell coworkers, “that’s not my job”my company says we can’t wear underwire brasmy daughter has lost two jobs in one year, are laundry products included in office fragrance bans, and moreweekend open thread — July 20-21, 2024open thread – July 19, 2024manager thanked my husband for letting me work with them, how much exaggeration is too much on LinkedIn, and moreshould I interview for a job where the salary I want is technically possible but not likely?updates: the insecure coworker, an exciting cocktail, and morelet’s discuss napping at workI smelled alcohol on my coworker, can you fire someone because their spouse is a politician, and moreI’m attending a conference with a dude who won’t talk to meupdate: can I speak up about the portrait of a child abuser in my office?who is responsible for anger management therapy when an employee needs it?an employee we fired is making “inspirational” LinkedIn posts about it, grand jury duty will eat up 15% of my pay for the year, and moreI took a job with less responsibility — and my coworkers treat me like I have no experienceI’m about to manage someone who thinks we’re good friends, but we can’t bemy coworker with OCD wants to control how I do everythingmy coworker took a video call from the bathroom, horrible exec is the boss’s best friend, and morethe Bigfoot artifacts, the disappointing Australians, and other funny customer complaintsmy office has a sticker chart for our feelingsmy manager is a hoarder — how do I nope out of our office?asking employee to have their eyes checked, frustrated with daughter’s new job, and moreweekend open thread — July 13-14, 2024it’s the last day for a massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-hunting guideopen thread – July 12, 2024feuding coworkers, is saying “my calendar is up to date” rude, and moreshould I apologize for being a bad employee?updates: we have to cook food to feed our well-paid managers, and morewhat’s the strangest customer feedback you’ve heard?is my employee taking credit for my work, manager favors our two-faced coworker, and morean industry colleague is lying to me about a dispute we had years agohere’s a huge discount on the Ask a Manager job-searching bibleanti-vax employee is pressuring a coworker not to vaccinate her babyI manage someone who’s bored and grumpy, I saw an anti-union training on our CEO’s credit card bill, and morehow should I balance workplace red flags vs. the necessity to get a job?how to negotiate for the largest possible salary before you accept a job offer.my coworker won’t speak to female customers if they’re with a manmanager trashes me behind my back, promoted without a raise for a “test period,” and moremy coworker REALLY doesn’t like memy former employee is using my job and title on LinkedInwe did a trauma-dumping ice-breaker at a work retreatmy office hosts a regular “Drinky Day,” employee pressured a client to hire her son, and moreweekend open thread — July 6-7, 2024open thread – July 5, 2024my coworkers are in a self-help cult, I pretended I’m allergic to bees, and more4th of July open threadthe burnt bagel, the excessive candor, and other reply-all email catastrophespushing back on unreasonable reference requests: a success storydo I need to ensure my nipples are never visible through my work clothes?“girl boss” artwork in the women’s bathrooms, interview focused on conflict with coworkers, and moremy coworker disrupts meetings and explodes or freezes us out if she’s angryshould I address the feedback from an anonymous survey?my coworker asked out a coworker, got turned down, and now won’t stop badmouthing hermy coworker wears pro-gun t-shirts, custodian brings me food, and morethe new alphabetization scheme, the identical twin caper, and other stories of summer internshipshow much should I tell a team whose boss might be fired?my team went on a Redneck Comedy bus tour and it was as bad as you’d expectdo my coworkers think I’m a lady of leisure, Covid precautions at a client dinner, and more June 2024weekend open thread — June 29-30, 2024open thread – June 28, 2024I don’t see the point of taking time off, explaining a black eye on Zoom calls, and moreI think my new job’s salary offer is a mistakeupdate: is this HR process for accommodations as bananas as it feels?let’s hear your weird summer intern storiescoworker constantly changes her schedule, interviewer refused to let me meet the job’s manager, and moredo I have to refuse to use first names because my manager won’t?when a job candidate reschedules their interview at the last minutewas it unprofessional to say I was angry?interviewing with a manager who wanted to lay me off, customers who make religious comments, and moreI’m getting a promotion — with mystery payI’m the weakest link on my teamis it discrimination that all the moms in the company have to have childcare but the one dad doesn’t?managing an interruptor during urban foraging, offering to consult for my old job, and morethe coffee revolt, the blue spoon abduction, and other wild overreactions at workwhy is your job asking you for money?I used ChatGPT to replace a team’s input when they weren’t responding … and now I’m panickingcan I say no to attending a three-night retreat, can a company hold onto your property after they fire you, and moreweekend open thread — June 22-23, 2024open thread – June 21, 2024inviting an ex-coworker to a holiday lunch, new meds make me burp, and moreinterviewer asked me about a political argument I had 10 years agoupdate: my boss is doing 27 events next month … the average is 4let’s discuss wild overreactions at workemployee cries whenever she gets a new assignment, team went to dinner without me, and morethe lawnmower message, the mangled journal articles, and other stories of deliberately burnt bridgespregnancy and work: all your questions answeredmy CEO is furious about a joke I madeinterns stole alcohol at a work retreat, vacationing with a friend from work, and moreformer coworker stole my work and keeps contacting me for helpmy employee puts on a show of being busy, but they shouldn’t bemy boss is a terrible restaurant guestcoworker refuses to talk to us, demoted and can’t move back up, and moreI was rejected for a job, but I see no signs the new hire has started yetmy employee is patronizing when I correct his workcan my employer make me give four weeks notice when I quit?coworker pries into my romantic life, telling an employee to be less uptight, and moreweekend open thread — June 15-16, 2024open thread – June 14, 2024thongs at work, the best interviewing order, and moreupdate: my coworker watches a daycare livestream all dayupdate: all the men I work with go on an annual camping trip together, and women aren’t allowedupdate: can I do anything about a senior-level colleague who doesn’t do any work?I’m a terrible procrastinatorI don’t want to bake for my coworker, needlessly cruel layoffs, and moreupdates: our admins hate all the coffee I buy the office but they insist I have to keep trying, and moreupdate: my coworkers complain I’m violating the dress code, but I’m notI don’t want to help rude networkersupdate: I was rejected because I told my interviewer I never make mistakesemployee never eats at work, office is angry I didn’t pay for a plane ticket after I resigned, and moreupdate: my boss wants to hire us out for our “unique talents and skills” that have nothing to do with our jobsupdate: HR says I have a moral obligation to tell everyone I’m autisticwhat to do if you’re paid less than a male coworkerupdate: my new manager is someone I slept with years ago … and he doesn’t know we have a childangry ex told my boss I’m a drug addict, manager lets employee insult me, and moreupdates: my coworker won’t stop touching and complimenting me, and moreupdates: how can I pull back on a friendship with a coworker, and morehow much should I hand-hold a disorganized employee?update: I think our intern prank-called uswe have to cook food to feed our well-paid managers, employee sends stream-of-consciousness Slack messages, and moreweekend open thread — June 8-9, 2024open thread – June 7, 2024husband’s boss didn’t tell me about his medical episode, asking about starting time, and moreupdates: an employee 2 levels down refused to meet with me, the face tattoo, and moreupdates: how do I navigate being naked around employees in a locker room, and moreupdate: my boss talks about religion every dayhave you ever intentionally burned a bridge?HR misused my emergency contacts, requesting payment from a family friend, and moreupdate: my retired predecessor wants to keep coming inupdate: I had a panic attack over a Halloween decoration at workwhat’s the etiquette for reply-all email disasters?update: my new employee is the parent of my child’s bullydid my boss reject me just so she could hire a friend, my employee lives in her cubicle, and moreupdates: our boss is being a jerk about bereavement leave for miscarriages, and moreshould I say something about my assistant’s messy desk?interview with a death doula — a person who helps support you at the end of your lifemy coworker will quit if I’m promoted, shimmer body oil at work, and moreupdate: my boss made us all attend a session with his therapistI’m the boss who’s always lateupdate: my employee was excluded from a team-building event because of their weight — how do I make this right?did my employee give me a fake doctor’s note, reducing bias in hiring, and moreweekend open thread — June 1-2, 2024 May 2024open thread – May 31, 2024working from a one-bedroom apartment with a baby and nanny, people keep quitting, and morehow do I work for an insecure boss who thinks I’m spreading rumors about her?updates: my boss keeps leaving her kid with me, and morehow much will it hurt me to take a few years off from my career?our off-site includes a body fat analysis, have to use six PTO days to take a five-day vacation, and morenegotiating an offer when you haven’t talked salary at allwhat comp time policy should I set for my team?my boss finally saw the light about my horrible coworker — but I’ve been warning him for yearswhen an employee struggles with a task, cell phones at lunch, and morethe charismatic aura, the glowing tan, and other amazing items seen on resumeshow can I shut down gossip at work?my employee yelled at a coworker — but I don’t think she should apologizedoes being salaried just mean I work a ton of overtime for free, coworker won’t share a file, and moreMemorial Day open threadweekend open thread — May 25-26, 2024open thread – May 24-25, 2024I got rid of my office’s furniture by mistake, is combined PTO better than separate sick and vacation time, and moremy friend is in trouble for attendance issues caused by her dad being sickwhere are you now? (a call for updates)what are the strangest things you’ve seen in resumes and cover letters?my project was moved to another team, employer wants everyone back in the office, and moreour boss is being a jerk about bereavement leave for miscarriagesshould I hire an ex?employee treats coworkers as if they stinkI’m scared of hiring my first employee, an email squabble, and moreupdate: are we supposed to accept “touch” as an “appreciation language” at work?I’m supposed to fire my husband’s ex-wifeI think my nanny candidate used a fake referencemanager who makes too many assumptions, spending sick leave in Cancun, and morethe summer camp cook, the cat photo, and other stories of long-running coworker grudgessometimes an old job isn’t done with you … even when you’re done with itam I being a brat about not getting promoted?coworkers message me “hi” with nothing else, younger coworker thinks I’m tech-illiterate, and moreweekend open thread – May 18-19, 2024open thread – May 17-18, 2024boss keeps asking for rides home, I’m not allowed to have any personal items on my desk, and moreis it rude to read in the car on work trips?my employee talks about people’s weightlet’s discuss coworker grudges and argumentscoworker tells me how to do my job, no one wants to take notes, and moremy coworker stabs office furniture with a knife and no one thinks it’s a big dealAsk a Manager in the mediamy breastfeeding coworker won’t stop talking about her boobssharing a house with the boss, paid intern can’t do the job, and morecan I discuss NSFW shows at work?how does maternity leave work, exactly?are we supposed to accept “touch” as an “appreciation language” at work?I walked in on two managers in a compromising position, reapplying to a team that fired me, and morethe creepy dolls, the massage chair, and other stories of amazing office decorI can’t say no to clients and it’s destroying meI don’t want to be pied in the face for workpregnant employee is lying about work, coworker attacked my boss, and moreweekend open thread – May 11-12, 2024open thread – May 10-11, 2024ouija board decor at work, coworker nags me about drinking diet soda, and moredata from 13,000 people’s real-life salariesupdate: employee’s speakerphone disrupts everyone around herlet’s discuss the best and worst office decor you’ve seena patient threatened to hit me, leadership won’t meet with me, and moremy employee keeps coming to work sickupdate: there’s nothing I can do about my nightmare workload … right?need help finding a job? start hereboss keeps giving me food I can’t eat, employee gave lots of notice but we have a replacement already, and moremy manager won’t hire people with messy carsI made a bad joke about my new hirecan I leave before my notice period is up if my boss is being a jerk?boss keeps pulling on my ponytail, boss hates babies and I’m pregnant, and moredo I have to fire someone due to his lack of child care?someone emailed me about my employee’s behavior outside of workI spent a ton of time helping 2 employees who hate each other … now they’re datingfired employee says he’s coming to a work event, employee never saves things on our shared drive, and moreweekend open thread – May 4-5, 2024open thread – May 3-4, 2024my employee sleeps in and misses work, can my coworkers read cursive, and morecan I tell interviewers I’m looking for a new job because of money?a real-life conversation about salary with a hiring managerlet’s discuss egregious safety violations at workkitten talk led to an HR lecture, are sleeveless blouses OK for work, and morewhen I work from home, do I have to be AT home?updates: the convention center music, the knee-to-the-groin rumor, and moreI’m caught in the crossfire of my coworkers’ petty complaints about our companyemployee said awful things about a coworker who was on the phone, company’s leaders are all white men, and more April 2024is working from an armchair hurting my credibility?when should I tell my interviewer I’m pregnant?my boss told me to meet weekly with my coworker … but my coworker won’t do itshould my employer cover vet bills caused by my job, my terrible coworker listed me as a reference, and morejob searching is so much workmy team keeps working unauthorized overtimeI think our intern prank-called uscan you be fired for being OK but not great, my employee is pushing for “girls’ weekends,” and moreweekend open thread – April 27-28, 2024open thread – April 26-27, 2024my boss is resentful when I do well, contacting the company that fired my husband, and morefriend drama may collide with job huntI’m flooded by job candidates calling for more infoI help mentor college students … and the current crop is really immatureshould I correct a service person’s grammar, flower arranging as staff appreciation, and morecan I ask to be reimbursed for my expenses in a driving-heavy job?your non-compete agreement is now illegal (or it will be in 4 months)my boss wants us to meet with a spiritualist to fix the negative energy in our buildingcoworker is bitter that I wouldn’t play a game, employee has bad BO, and morehave we changed our views about working from home?update: there’s nothing I can do about my nightmare workload … right?I feel overwhelming guilt about taking time off workI don’t want to participate in my office’s steps challenge, returning to a job I criticized, and morethe noise complaint, the romantic violin, and other business trips gone awryformer employee is lying about her job with me … to cover up her time in jailan employee showed up for a video training while lounging in bed and smokinginterviewing with blue or pink hair, building staff damaged my bookcase, and moreweekend open thread – April 20-21, 2024open thread – April 19-20, 2024coworker interrupts me with questions she could answer herself, playing a game at a public-facing job, and moreshould I ask my boss why I was their second choice for my job?updates: the unavailable lactation room, the “unapproachable” manager, and morelet’s discuss business trip mishapshiring manager assaulted a police officer, coworker and I have the same name, and moremy employee shuts down when I give her feedbackupdate: our employee retired … but now she won’t leavehow much paid time off do you get?intern was working two full-time jobs, employee makes patients feel unwelcome, and morewhy don’t bosses realize people will leave if they’re not treated well?how to write a thank-you email after a job interviewshould we fire the relatives of Nazis?patients at my sleep clinic want to sleep naked, upgrading business flights and hotel rooms, and morethe White House has proposed new overtime rules that could increase your paycheckwhen your awful coworker is the boss’s kidI promoted one employee instead of her coworker, and now my whole team is upsetI’m worried my coworker is abusing his wife, a chronically late colleague, and moreweekend open thread – April 13-14, 2024open thread – April 12-13, 2024should a successful gamer put it on their resume, “free” company gifts that aren’t free, and moresomeone who barely managed me put negative feedback in my annual reviewupdate: dealing with a problematic member of a board games groupknowledge swap! share your expertise with people hereis the kiss emoji appropriate at work, manager wants me to find coverage after I quit, and moreI manage my sister, and she overshares about her breaks and sick timemistakes at work: a round-upmy coworker doesn’t like it when I set boundaries on conversation topicscompany won’t do anything about a horrible coworker, eating tiny lunches in a group, and moremy coworker’s obsession with coffee is an all-day distractionmy employee quit over a misdirected emailhow much money do you make?employee writes overly casual emails, employer told me to remove TikTok from my phone, and morethe arrogant sports car driver, the wild turkeys, and other stories of workplace parking dramaam I sabotaging my former intern’s job prospects?I organize orgies — can I talk about it in my job hunt?manager wants to match outfits, in trouble for a text sent outside of work, and moreweekend open thread – April 6-7, 2024open thread – April 5-6, 2024coworker said his boss kneed him in the groin, I feel unappreciated, and morewhat to do when everyone on my team is experiencing a personal life crisisupdate: I lied about a meetinglet’s talk about workplace parking warscoworker says she loves shoplifting, asking to take over a specific person’s job, and moreI think my boss was a cheerleader in another lifemy father keeps responding to my employee’s Facebook postsmy boss keeps bringing her sick child to workcoworker won’t stop talking about how young I am, how to ask if meetings will provide food, and moremy employee is too buddy-buddy with mehere are the 10 best questions to ask your job interviewermy boss says my work is bad, but all evidence says the oppositelaying off employee who’s having chemo, quitting your job when you win the lottery, and morethe XL gloves, the eyeball embalmers, and other stories of office supply obsessions run amokemployee came to work dressed as Jesusmy employee asked if I’m pregnantmother-in-law manages sister-in-law and covers up her drunk driving, lactation room is occupied, and more March 2024weekend open thread – March 30-31, 2024open thread – March 29-30, 2024how do I motivate an unresponsive employee, company won’t promote me because of childhood trauma, and moremy company has no reporting structure and no trainingupdate: an employee is out to get my star performer, and no one else careslet’s discuss sacred office suppliesshould we have “fun” out-of-office messages, managers trash-talk my old job, and moreshould our office kick everyone out at 5 pm?I found a perfect candidate — do I need to interview others?my coworker is spreading a rumor that I have bulimiacompany wants me to tell my current job I’m interviewing with them, telling a former intern to honor time commitments, and moreI was promised a raise for doing a lot more work … and it didn’t come throughI sent a text about my problem employee to the wrong personmy coworkers are obsessed with talking about their kids … and I’m the only childless one herewearing revealing exercise clothes around coworkers, telling an employer I have another offer, and morethe plant saver, the altruistic horse, and other stories of kindness at workthe surprising agony of office coffee cultureemployee uses the bathroom stall with the door wide opencoworker wants to withhold PTO as punishment, religious gifts for colleagues, and moreweekend open thread – March 23-24, 2024open thread – March 22-23, 2024coworker is taking credit for my work when she applies for jobs, scam job offer, and morehow do I stop myself from getting overly attached in the application process?updates: the complaint about a new hire, the colleague who doesn’t do any work, and morelet’s talk about kindness at workmy boss is upset I went over her head, I overheard damaging gossip, and morestories of Machiavellian triumphs at work, part 2how can we get people to stop applying for every open position we have?why ask my salary expectations if you’re not going to meet them?candidate’s mom keeps emailing to follow up for her, pimple patches at work, and morecan I negotiate a later schedule before accepting a job?how to ask for more vacation timemy satellite team resents that we don’t get the perks offered at our headquarterscoworkers complained it’s not fair that I miss meetings, boss makes awkward comments about money, and morethe fake union organizer, the lemon zest, and other Machiavellian triumphs at workmy coworker doesn’t take the hint that she’s interrupting memy kind, caring colleague wants to heal my MSwe’re supposed to send compliments for Women’s History Month, Glassdoor can un-anonymize you, and moreweekend open thread – March 16-17, 2024open thread – March 15-16, 2024boss edits emails before forwarding them to his wife, manager wants to pull an offer over traffic tickets, and moremy coworker is working alone overnight despite explicit instructions not toupdate: my boss keeps asking me to do things that aggravate our community partnerswhat’s the most Machiavellian thing you’ve seen or done at work?is it patronizing to say I’m proud of my team, asking for help from a candidate we rejected, and morehow do people take months off from work to film a reality TV show?updates: parking lot gate wars, the employer that wanted more notice, and morethere’s nothing I can do about my nightmare workload … right?am I a hypocrite for dating a customer, coworker sends political texts outside of work, and moreis it reasonable to leave without notice when my company lets employees go without notice?how do I turn down a persistent favor-asker?can I threaten legal action to get a better job offer?friend’s job offer was pulled for being a jerk, is my girlfriend’s CEO overstepping, and morewhat does “energetic” mean in a job posting?does my staff resent me for being frequently out of the office?my friends are entitled contractors who are overstepping work boundariesI’m in a family business with a cheater, I don’t want to be the face of a company campaign, and moreweekend open thread – March 9-10, 2024open thread – March 8-9, 2024my friend is an awful coworker, apologizing for past mistakes, and morecan I do anything about a senior-level colleague who doesn’t do any work?updates: the fragrance-free office, the meeting monopolizer, and morehow does unlimited PTO actually play out in companies that have it?should an employee pay for damage to a work vehicle they caused, who answers the phone, and moreI’m buying a business — how do I tell one employee (who’s currently my coworker) that I’m not keeping her on?employee keeps trash-talking her own workI broke my leg, and my team barely acknowledged itexplaining a shaved head, missing work conversations because I don’t smoke, and moremy employee makes up words and is impossible to understandmy new boss treats me like his assistant … which isn’t what I was hired forI might run into the person whose life I ruined at a work eventI don’t want to stock the kitchen anymore, asking why the friend I recommended wasn’t hired, and morethe special notepads, the staggered departures, and other stories of ridiculous policies at workhow should we handle a dog-phobic employee in a dog-friendly office?my best employee is disappointed that I’m not dealing with a bad employeecan I ask for a salary cut, I don’t want to share a bed with my boss, and moreweekend open thread – March 2-3, 2024open thread – March 1-2, 2024is it OK to flirt at networking events, coworker spies on me, and more February 2024how to ask for a disability accommodation for a job interviewupdate: recovering professionally after an internet hate campaignit’s Leap Day! let’s discuss ridiculous workplace policiesdo I have to drive my employee’s employee, AI attending meetings, and morecan I teach a very disorganized employee to be more independent?update: can I offer to pay a coworker’s vet bill?should I tell my boss my coworker is working a second job during her hours for us?complaints about a new hire before she’s started, employer sent my rejection to my father, and moreI’m in charge of our disgusting office kitchenour company has an annual golf trip … but the women don’t playI lied to my interviewer about being employedI can’t carry coffee at work, employee refuses to do a critical duty, and moreupdate: my boss is abusive and blames it on PMDDvideo calls are the worst way to do job rejectionscompany asked me to spend an hour giving feedback on their hiring processcandidate said “you shouldn’t hire me,” inappropriate music in a family-friendly store, and moreweekend open thread – February 24-25, 2024open thread – February 23-24, 2024management talks to us like we’re children, napping in the wellness room, and morecan I bring a friend-with-benefits back to my hotel on a work trip?Ask a Manager in the mediaI’m a night owl — how can I adjust to a new job with early hours?I was fired during my probationary period, mentioning kids in a cover letter, and moremy boss reprimanded me for not answering an email … in four minutesmy employee eavesdrops on meis it safe to share at my company’s “courageous conversation” on menopause?should I be worried by maxed-out company credit cards, an aggressive-driver coworker, and moremy boss keeps asking if I’m OKhow to give constructive criticism at workI’m supposed to share a bed with a coworker on a business tripare managers “deeply concerned” if you ask for feedback, I got in trouble for saying I didn’t want to be “a dick,” and moreupdate: I have to go to an awkward Valentine’s Day work dinner right after a breakupmy employee is hassling coworkers about their clothesmy coworker doesn’t want me to have a communal candy dish because of temptationcoworkers have a mean group chat, company won’t tell us who’s been laid off, and moreweekend open thread – February 17-18, 2024open thread – February 16-17, 2024coworker wants us to read her Christian novel, managing a colleague’s feelings, and moreis it insensitive to be excited for snow at work?updates: the ChatGPT boss, the candidate who recently took another job, and moremy store is doing great because I’m breaking all our policieswe have to walk almost a block to get water for our coffee, my coworker is never here, and morethe drunken voicemail, the press release revenge, and other stories of workplace romance gone wrong … and rightmy former employee lied to get a new job — should I do anything?my new employer made me take a personality test and my results were horriblefired coworker left us all a church flyer and a link to her music, is Mardi Gras OK for work, and moreI was rejected because I told my interviewer I never make mistakesemployee wants a higher raise than she earnedis it normal to cancel days off for a resigning employee?I’m stuck in a job I can’t quit, an X-rated view from my office window, and morea coworker is harassing my neighbor (who is having chemo)my assistant keeps arguing with memy boss and my employee won’t stop asking me to spend the night at their housesI’m trying to leave a board but can’t escape, asking a coworker not to bring her baby in, and moreweekend open thread – February 10-11, 2024open thread – February 9-10, 2024boss is obsessed with the dress code, managing a know-it-all, and morewhat are the ethics around asking an employee not to talk about her raise?update: I reported my boss’s boss for racism and now feel guiltyask the readers: when workplace romance goes horribly wrongdo professional clothes need to be seasonally appropriate, how to tell coworkers I’m married, and moreour admins hate all the coffee I buy the office, but they insist I have to keep tryingI ramble nervously when I give employees feedbackmy coworker brought sex workers back to our hotel on a business tripdo I really have to attend a company dinner, boss is moody and distant, and moremy employee meets deadlines … but is much slower than the rest of usI work from home and can’t focusan employee is out to get my star performer, and no one else caresemployee is demanding Diet Coke as a religious accommodation, desk is covered with photos of feet, and moreupdate: men are hitting on my scheduling bot because it has a woman’s namemy employee helped a fired coworker get a new job … and lied to me about itis my coworker justified in being angry that I reported him for sending out personal mail from the office?should you call to “confirm” an interview when you don’t really have one, coworker has imaginary cats, and moreweekend open thread – February 3-4, 2024open thread – February 2-3, 2024surly coworker resents that he’s in a junior role, parking lot gate wars, and morethe postage stamps, the airport page, and other deranged responses to resignationsupdates: lying about a Glassdoor review, the time-off request, and morewhat’s the worst or weirdest way you’ve been rejected for a job?coworker misuses the office snack budget, manager eavesdrops through thin walls, and more January 2024how much can I pet my cat on video calls?managing mental health at work: a round-upmy coworker blamed me for not being offended enough by a racist comment toward meour “neurodiversity awareness panel” was a letdown, coworker is stonewalling me, and morehow to work with a friend who has stopped talking to mehow can I make our on-site perks fair for our remote employees?my new coworker is obsessed with other people’s weightexpecting more from a near-retirement employee, a disruptive speakerphone, and moreboss wants us to do early-morning and evening meetings so he can attend from his vacationthe problem with jobs that claim they’re “like a family”I have to go to an awkward Valentine’s Day work dinner right after a breakupemployee is a terrible singer, how to say “I’ll quit over this,” and moreweekend open thread – January 27-28, 2024open thread – January 26-27, 2024coworker told everyone I’m having an affair but I’m not, colleague’s office is gun-themed, and morehow can I tell our freelancers they should charge more?updates: interviewing with a service dog in my lap, stuck working for father, and morelet’s discuss deranged things your employer did when you resignedI won’t supervise smoke breaks for minors, backing out of a chaotic freelance project, and moremy soon-to-be-ex manager wants to be my friend … I’m leaving because of himmy employee faked an emailhow to live with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) at workcoworker doesn’t come to the office even though it’s required, do I have to use the phone, and morenew coworker with my exact experience got hired at a higher level than me — how upset should I be?how to get severance pay when you’re fired or laid offsomeone made a mean “self-evaluation” for my boss, and she’s punishing us allmy boss announced layoffs while wearing sunglasses, writing job candidates are using AI in their applications, and moremy employee complains he’s overwhelmed while golfing mid-dayan employee keeps complaining about her boss, who I managemy company’s top exec is crowdfunding for their kid’s school projectmanagers don’t know we can read their “private” Slack channel, wife’s coworker is trampling our boundaries, and moreweekend open thread – January 20-21, 2024open thread – January 19-20, 2024employee “works” after playing video games all night, what does mileage cover, and morehow to deal with a stomach attack in the middle of a meetingupdate: my boss expects me to respond immediately no matter what I’m doinghave you ever quit a job in your first week?nude drawing as a work social event, resigning coworker is upset that she wasn’t invited to a conference, and morethe pizza offense, the bathroom lock code, and other stories of strangely dramatic reactions to mundane changes at workI manage a friend and it’s not going wellhow can I get people to stop misreading professional friendliness as a real connection?company says coming in early or staying late “doesn’t count,” I know who’s unvaccinated because of my job, and morethe microwave battle, the bagel club chaos, and other stories of strangely dramatic reactions to mundane changes at workmy new employee refused to help a coworkercan I take care of my baby during the workday if my job is undemanding?boss is paranoid that I have a secret email account, voluntary task has suddenly become mandatory, and moreI delay writing back to people and then never do it — can I fix this?I had to share a bed with a coworker on a business tripboss is upset over flowers, coworker keeps hitting on me, and moreweekend open thread – January 13-14, 2024open thread – January 12-13, 2024I was asked to take down a family photo, coworker is working a second job during her hours for us, and moremy boss renegotiated my new job’s start date behind my backupdates: introduced as my dad’s kid, mentor falsely accused someone on my behalf, and moreask the readers: strangely dramatic responses to mundane work eventsI work with Leslie Knope, stressed out in first post-college job, and moremy boss wants a “guide to getting the best out of me”everything you need to know about how to take vacation timeour employee was the victim of a sextortion scam — did we mishandle it?boss doesn’t want me to read documents before signing them, employer is revoking work-from-home, and moremy boss wants to do walking meetings and I can’t keep up with her pacehow can I get what I need from my flaky boss?a hoarder at work is causing a mouse problemshould management be included in a company raffle, NSFW music on a work laptop, and moremy boss is trying to “quiet fire” me — can I just ignore it?my new hire keeps uncovering problems … and I’m embarrassedmen are hitting on my scheduling bot because it has a woman’s namemy boss flipped out when I said I “have options,” interviewing a candidate who was recently hired elsewhere, and moreweekend open thread – January 6-7, 2024open thread – January 5-6, 2024coworker offered to be my “work mom,” asking an employee to blur her Zoom background, and moremy interview was canceled because I was “rude and pushy”update: my former boss won’t leave me alonehow do I find clothes that look businessy but not stuffy?a guy I hooked up with is joining my team, employee gave me cash for a holiday gift, and moremy new hire’s office looks like a dark, flickering bat cave … and is scaring off patronsthe employee I just promoted wants to step downam I just a sympathy hire with no real skills?new boss says job now requires constant travel, employee chewing tobacco at his desk, and moreI feel weird telling coworkers I live with my parents in my 30sI manage someone who wants more praise from his own employeesI think my boss is ChatGPTcoworker made it obvious she didn’t want the gifts I gave her, employee’s husband hangs around, and more