staff member says I’m triggering their unresolved trauma, employee calls me his “lady boss,” and more by Alison Green on October 22, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My employee says I’m triggering their unresolved trauma I have a question as to how to manage a direct report who has admitted that they have self esteem issues resulting from unresolved childhood trauma. It is evident in any dealings with them that they struggle […] Read the full article →
my coworker escalates EVERYTHING until she gets her way by Alison Green on October 21, 2024 A reader writes: I work for a small company (less than 50 people) and Jane has been with us for about four years. She came with a lot of fanfare because she is specialist in her field and has a history of otherworldly production. Jane loves having a squad of adoring colleagues and subordinates and […] Read the full article →
is it weird to send work emails late at night? by Alison Green on October 21, 2024 A reader writes: Last night around 11 pm, my husband suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to email someone back about a meeting request, and was about to respond when I said it looked weird to be emailing at 11 pm. He asked why and I had no good reason, except that it seemed weird […] Read the full article →
argumentative coworker always says, “repeat back to me the point I just made” by Alison Green on October 21, 2024 A reader writes: I am a middle manager who works with an employee I’ll call “John.” John does not report to me, but there are scenarios in which I supervise aspects of John’s work and am in a position to give him feedback. John has a lot of experience (he’s been doing his job about […] Read the full article →
colleague wants help raising money for a bad idea, CEO doesn’t want anonymous questions, and more by Alison Green on October 21, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. Church member at my job wants help raising money for a bad idea I work for a small church, of which I am also a member. Laurel has been a member for many years and works as a freelance bookkeeper. For many years, the church […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – October 19-20, 2024 by Alison Green on October 18, 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. Read the full article →
open thread – October 18, 2024 by Alison Green on October 18, 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 →
coworker won’t answer any questions from my boss, “hey girl,” and more by Alison Green on October 18, 2024 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. My coworker won’t answer my boss’s questions I work for a very small department within a bigger group. I have one coworker (Jane) and a boss (Amanda), and the boss also manages about eight others who are in a bigger department. My role is small and […] Read the full article →
is it OK for job postings to require a “clean-cut appearance”? by Alison Green on October 17, 2024 A reader writes: There is a small family-owned butcher shop near me. They list job postings on their Facebook page, and I’ve noticed every time they post for counter staff, that they include “clean-cut” or “clean-cut appearance” in their list of requirements for applicants. I don’t believe this is specifically about food handling/sanitation requirements, since […] Read the full article →
how can I reject former coworkers applying for jobs with me? by Alison Green on October 17, 2024 A reader writes: Several past coworkers have reached out to me on LinkedIn asking about a job posting at my company. The only thing is … they don’t know that I am the hiring manager for the role, and they are under-qualified. I already know I would not hire them for the position. I have […] Read the full article →