my employee keeps coming to work sick by Alison Green on May 8, 2024 A reader writes: Now that the pandemic is “over” ( /s) and all the rules and restrictions have pretty much been lifted, I have a question: as a manager, what can I do to make people stay home when they’re sick? I’m the director of a mid-sized public library, and we have a librarian, “Brian,” […] Read the full article →
update: there’s nothing I can do about my nightmare workload … right? by Alison Green on May 8, 2024 Remember the letter-writer asking whether there was anything they could do about their nightmare workload? The first update was here, and here’s the resolution. Well, I certainly wasn’t planning to have another update after a week and a half, but I am no longer at this job! Things deteriorated really, really quickly. Last Monday, my […] Read the full article →
need help finding a job? start here by Alison Green on May 8, 2024 Here’s a round-up of some of the most key job-searching advice on this site. Resumes and Cover Letters The first thing to know is, if you’re not getting interviews, you probably need to fix your resume and cover letter. If you’re thinking your materials are fine, I’ve got to tell you: More often than not, […] Read the full article →
boss keeps giving me food I can’t eat, employee gave lots of notice but we have a replacement already, and more by Alison Green on May 8, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss keeps giving me food I can’t eat Is there a tactful way to ask my boss to stop giving me food-based tokens of appreciation? My boss occasionally gives donuts, cookies, candy bars, or buys pizza for our small work group to show her […] Read the full article →
my manager won’t hire people with messy cars by Alison Green on May 7, 2024 A reader writes: Am I crazy or is this a red flag? I’m working a temp to perm job, and was just let in on a departmental secret. Apparently, when our supervisor is deciding who to keep on permanently, she will figure out which car is yours and walk out to it on a break […] Read the full article →
I made a bad joke about my new hire by Alison Green on May 7, 2024 A reader writes: I have a new hire who’s coming to the end of his probationary period. Chris is conscientious, smart, and has gelled well with the team. He’s completed his probationary objectives with time to spare, and in our most recent catch-up, I suggested that he start considering his longer-term goals for career redevelopment […] Read the full article →
can I leave before my notice period is up if my boss is being a jerk? by Alison Green on May 7, 2024 A reader writes: What’s the etiquette, if that’s the right word, for leaving a job before the end of your notice period? I resigned due to a toxic micromanager boss who also leans toward abusive. She has been out on medical leave for the last three weeks, but is back today. I’m halfway through my […] Read the full article →
boss keeps pulling on my ponytail, boss hates babies and I’m pregnant, and more by Alison Green on May 7, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My boss keeps pulling on my ponytail I started a new part-time job at a restaurant a few months ago. I like it, for the most part, and I like the managers. But one of them, Phil, has a rather odd habit. He semi-regularly tugs […] Read the full article →
do I have to fire someone due to his lack of child care? by Alison Green on May 6, 2024 A reader writes: I have an employee who is unable to obtain childcare when he is on call, which is an essential part of his job, and the job is not safe to take a child to. Therefore, we may not be able to keep him on. I supervise a team of maintenance technicians who […] Read the full article →
someone emailed me about my employee’s behavior outside of work by Alison Green on May 6, 2024 A reader writes: I recently got an email from someone with screenshots concerning an employee of mine. They were of a personal nature directed to an organization outside of work using her personal time and her personal equipment. They didn’t concern work at all. They weren’t racist or hate-filled rants or anything of that nature. […] Read the full article →