open thread – January 12-13, 2024 by Alison Green on January 12, 2024 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 was asked to take down a family photo, coworker is working a second job during her hours for us, and more by Alison Green on January 12, 2024 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. I was asked to take down a family photo I was called into a one on one with my manager today. Someone anonymous has complained about a photo of my son I have at my desk and has asked management to have me take it […] Read the full article →
my boss renegotiated my new job’s start date behind my back by Alison Green on January 11, 2024 A reader writes: I’ve just given notice to leave a job that I love because my manager has become intolerable. I’ll spare you the details, but for context, this manager (let’s call them B) has a negative reputation in the company and the two previous departures from my team have cited abuse from B as […] Read the full article →
updates: introduced as my dad’s kid, mentor falsely accused someone on my behalf, and more by Alison Green on January 11, 2024 Here are five updates from past letter-writers. 1. Can I ask coworkers to stop introducing me as my dad’s kid? Last March, I wrote to you about my concerns about how I was introduced in professional settings. A lot has changed since the time I wrote, and a lot has gotten better. Firstly, while I […] Read the full article →
ask the readers: strangely dramatic responses to mundane work events by Alison Green on January 11, 2024 For some reason, work makes people have weirdly strong reactions to relatively mundane events — examples here over the years include an office-wide meltdown when new phones were installed with fewer speed dial buttons, or the person who threw a massive tantrum when they were told they could no longer wear pajamas to work. Maybe you’ve […] Read the full article →
I work with Leslie Knope, stressed out in first post-college job, and more by Alison Green on January 11, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. New hire is treating me like I’m brand new I am a college professor. I teach a variety of courses, but there’s one that I have every semester. I get great evaluations from students every semester and I have a proven track record of success […] Read the full article →
my boss wants a “guide to getting the best out of me” by Alison Green on January 10, 2024 A reader writes: My boss, the head of a foundation with 10-15 employees, switches up annual review questions each year. The past three years, the questions have been reflective and mostly for staff’s benefit, according to him, and which I mostly experience as true. This year, there were three short reflective questions and then a […] Read the full article →
everything you need to know about how to take vacation time by Alison Green on January 10, 2024 Here’s a round-up of everything you need to know about taking vacation time. the basics everything you need to know about taking vacation time from work what’s the etiquette for taking vacation time? everything you need to know about time off when you start a new job how far in advance can you request time […] Read the full article →
our employee was the victim of a sextortion scam — did we mishandle it? by Alison Green on January 10, 2024 A reader writes: I volunteer on a staffing committee in my mainline Protestant church. Our employee in a role focused on young people self-disclosed that he had taken and electronically sent an inappropriate picture to someone who he believed to be a 27-year-old woman, but who he only knew online. He became a sextortion victim […] Read the full article →
boss doesn’t want me to read documents before signing them, employer is revoking work-from-home, and more by Alison Green on January 10, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss said she doesn’t trust people who read documents before signing them At a previous position, I offended my supervisor by actually reading the many office policies I was given to sign. I don’t like signing documents without reading them and assumed that it […] Read the full article →