how can I get people to stop misreading professional friendliness as a real connection? by Alison Green on January 17, 2024 A reader writes: I’m an events freelancer who works on a variety of projects. Most are just a one-day event, but a number of times per year I will do a longer-term project which spans a few weeks to a month. An increasing problem I have is people misreading my professional friendliness and problem-solving abilities […] Read the full article →
company says coming in early or staying late “doesn’t count,” I know who’s unvaccinated because of my job, and more by Alison Green on January 17, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My company says coming in early or staying late “doesn’t count” toward our hours I work for a business whose locations are open seven days a week. During our busy season, salaried managers like myself have always been required to work six-day weeks. That doesn’t […] Read the full article →
the microwave battle, the bagel club chaos, and other stories of strangely dramatic reactions to mundane changes at work by Alison Green on January 16, 2024 Last week, I asked for stories about strangely dramatic reactions that you’ve seen people have to mundane changes at work. The comment section was full of fantastic stories — so many that I had to split my favorites up into two posts. Here’s part one, and part two is coming tomorrow. 1. The microwave Tom […] Read the full article →
my new employee refused to help a coworker by Alison Green on January 16, 2024 A reader writes: Today I had my first 1:1 with a new employee. At the time he was hired, we were filling two roles, one mid-level and one entry-level, and they both started last week. He did not interview well enough for the mid-level position, but we offered him the entry-level role and he accepted. […] Read the full article →
can I take care of my baby during the workday if my job is undemanding? by Alison Green on January 16, 2024 A reader writes: I work for a large company with strong union protections. Because of our union protections, it’s very hard to get fired or even to get a low performance rating, but it’s also very hard to get merit raises or promotions. Compensation is explicitly tied to how long you’ve been with the company. […] Read the full article →
boss is paranoid that I have a secret email account, voluntary task has suddenly become mandatory, and more by Alison Green on January 16, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss is paranoid that I have a secret email account I’ve been with a small business for 20 years, handling office duties as the secretary and bookkeeper. The owner, an elderly man who has peculiar habits and is paranoid about various matters, once misspelled […] Read the full article →
I delay writing back to people and then never do it — can I fix this? by Alison Green on January 15, 2024 I’m off for the holiday, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2016. A reader writes: I have a terrible block when it comes to writing (back to) people. I get very anxious about writing the “right thing” in different situations — when I need to say no (even […] Read the full article →
I had to share a bed with a coworker on a business trip by Alison Green on January 15, 2024 I’m off for the holiday, so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2016. A reader writes: Some coworkers and I recently went on overnight travel, and the plan was to have us split two hotel rooms. Sharing a room with people I work with is less than my favorite […] Read the full article →
boss is upset over flowers, coworker keeps hitting on me, and more by Alison Green on January 15, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. I got flowers for an employee whose mom died — and my boss is hurt I just had a bizarre conversation with my supervisor. Her grandmother, who was 102 years old, passed away a few weeks ago. I offered her my sincere condolences when it […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – January 13-14, 2024 by Alison Green on January 12, 2024 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 Dinner Party, by Brenda Janowitz. Taking place over the build-up to a Passover seder and its aftermath, a family’s matriarch is extremely excited […] Read the full article →