boss wants to dumb down my writing, telling a job-hunting relative he stinks, and more by Alison Green on November 19, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My manager wants to dumb down my writing After a long stint in academia, I took a position with a state workforce agency two years ago. While I still teach adjunct at the university and maintain a “collegiate vocabulary,” I am far from inaccessible when […] Read the full article →
the Rolodex hoarder, the used tea bags, and other stories of territorial behavior at work by Alison Green on November 18, 2024 Last week we discussed territorial behavior at work and here are 12 of my favorite stories you shared. 1. The Rolodex I worked with a manager that kept customer information in a Rolodex to prevent any one else from making calls to them. And I mean a classic Rolodex, the big spinning thing that had […] Read the full article →
a federal judge has blocked the new overtime rule by Alison Green on November 18, 2024 A federal judge in Texas has blocked a new rule that would have expanded access to overtime pay to millions more salaried workers. And not only that — the court also struck down the increase that already took effect on July 1 of this year. The background: In the U.S., all workers are classified as […] Read the full article →
my team member won’t stop talking about their Keto diet by Alison Green on November 18, 2024 A reader writes: I manage an employee, Casey, who has developed a passion for a Keto, fasting, and all things carnivore lifestyle. It is great that they have found a lifestyle that they love, but they are a bit overly passionate and it is a little overwhelming in our office. What makes it difficult is […] Read the full article →
my job made me a shocking counteroffer, how to meet people at a new job, and more by Alison Green on November 18, 2024 It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go… 1. My job made me a shocking counteroffer I just had a bizarre experience. I’m an IT analyst at a global org, and we’ve been going through a painful and poorly executed agile implementation for the past 14 months. I could write a book about all […] Read the full article →
weekend open thread – November 16-17, 2024 by Alison Green on November 15, 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: Blood Test, by Charles Baxter. A mild-mannered father is thrown after a blood test predicts he will turn to a life of crime. […] Read the full article →
open thread – November 15, 2024 by Alison Green on November 15, 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 →
rolling my eyes while giving feedback, company is forcing me to see their doctor to get prescription coverage, and more by Alison Green on November 15, 2024 It’s four answers to four questions. Here we go… 1. Should I avoid rolling my eyes while giving feedback to a coworker? My workplace rarely fires people for performance issues, and it’s led to us retaining a few people who everyone agrees have performance issues but where no action is taken. I have a few […] Read the full article →
is it better to quit without another job or be fired? by Alison Green on November 14, 2024 A reader writes: Which would make it harder to get another job — quitting without another job or getting fired? If you have a job where requirements have changed radically and unreasonably, where every day is a nightmare, and people with long track records of good work are being threatened with being fired, I know […] Read the full article →
updates: reading in the car on work trips, employer wants my book money, and more by Alison Green on November 14, 2024 Here are three updates from past letter-writers. 1. Is it rude to read in the car on work trips? I have a happy update. I have been using your “I’m having trouble hearing from back here, shout out if you need me” language — so simple. I am not normally an e-book reader but found […] Read the full article →