2014 Posts Return to main archives January February March April May June July August September October November December December 2014 most popular posts of 2014 update: my creative role has turned into drudgery for the foreseeable future my interviewer was a distant cousin, telling my staff I’m job-searching, and more my favorite posts of 2014 update: how important is it to answer every question perfectly during a job interview? I turned down a job offer, but now I want to accept it how to get what you need from remote coworkers without aggravation do employers think I’m trying too hard, my manager criticized me in front of others, and more the worst boss of 2014 is… 3 more updates from letter-writers can I opt out of our office instant-messaging program? bad management forced me to work over Christmas, my son was fired, and more Sunday open thread – December 28, 2014 update: my coworker told a candidate’s current employer that he’s job-searching the best “ask the readers” posts in 2014 4 more reader updates open thread – December 26, 2014 asking about difficult coworkers in an interview, apologizing for a terrible cover letter, and more update: I don’t want my coworkers to know I’m living off cupcakes from the employee kitchen update: my new coworker wants to forbid music in the office 4 more updates from readers my boss keeps offering to let me go home early, and it’s making me uncomfortable giving employees my family’s personal holiday card, turning down a promotion because of co-op income limits, and more update: what’s the best way to resign when your boss will explode? how being a jerk can hurt you at work, most people don’t want to be managers, and more was I rude to this stranger who wanted to connect on LinkedIn? an angry eBay buyer is threatening to contact my employer, cheetah print at work, and more vote for the worst boss of 2014 all your questions about holiday gift-giving at work, answered will I ruin my future if I turn down this job? my boss lies about deadlines, my work crush is upset with me, and more Sunday free-for-all – December 21, 2014 update: a company I want to work for blocked me on social media 4 updates from readers is this request from a networking contact weird? open thread – December 19, 2014 HR manager wrote us up for drinking at a party she attended, my assistant goes overboard on gifts, and more update: I reported my awful manager to HR and it’s not going well 3 updates from readers how to throw an office holiday party people won’t dread my boss wants to personally reimburse me for a payroll error managing a jerk, my director gives out wrong info, and more update: can I say something about my coworker’s graphic, violent tattoo? how to stay productive during the holidays we have to make PowerPoints about our personal lives and present them to coworkers giving a gift to your boss, missing Christmas bonuses, ass-grabbers at the holiday party, and other holiday questions and answers update: how do I tell my coworkers that I have incurable cancer and it’s progressing? update: a parking shortage at my office is forcing me to park a mile away how to handle nosy coworkers around the holidays I’m filling in for someone on leave who left me tons of rules for what I can and can’t do while she’s away my new coworker noisily sucks on candy all day, wearing company-branded items after a buy-out, and more update: I accepted a job without finding out the salary update: how do I tell my boss that our new hire needs to be fired? 4 signs you just don’t like your boss all the party planning in my office always falls to women posting about a new job on Facebook, my coworker is a harlot, and more Sunday open thread – December 14, 2014 another four reader updates update: my office is fighting about overhead lighting update: managing people with higher risk tolerance than I have open thread – December 12, 2014 my phone number used to belong to a prostitute, how can I get access to my work email at night, and more update: my coworker kissed me and now his wife is emailing me update: my coworker constantly asks us to loan him money Christmas tantrums, Hanukkah balls, and other workplace holiday disasters I don’t want to give 360 feedback to my coworker does salary reflect the type of candidate an employer is seeking, my former coworkers aren’t allowed to talk to me, and more update: my coworker went through my trash can to get me in trouble update: I called the police on an angry driver, who turned out to be a coworker how to coach an irritated manager to stop yelling how can I get over my bitterness at being laid off, saying no to a networking request, and more update: my manager doesn’t want me to meet with clients unless I lose weight how to spread holiday cheer at work — without spiking the punch can I refuse to put up Christmas decorations at work? asking an interviewer about guns at work, when a department has fallen apart, and more update: I pulled a prank on a coworker — and it ended badly the 5 skills you need to work for yourself update: our museum volunteer is out of control CEO’s daughter gets special treatment, I almost fainted during a meeting, and more Sunday free-for-all – December 7, 2014 here are another four updates from readers update: my employees say another employee slacks off when I’m not around 4 updates from readers open thread – December 5, 2014 a chronically late employee, former employer is threatening me with arrest for trespassing, and more update: my office is forcing us to do karaoke for “fun” how can you stay organized when you’re on the road? I’m being asked to take the Meyers-Briggs test as part of applying to a training program my boss gives us fake performance reviews, job is changing to full-time but staying at a part-time salary, and more update: I’m frustrated by my office’s constant Nerf gun battles my boss keeps reminding me to dress up holidays at the office: share your weirdest stories my coworkers are going to my dad about problems with me, a parking kerfuffle, and more update: I think my manager tampered with my drinking water how to get the recognition you deserve in year-end reviews my employer moved our office to an inconvenient location leaving early on my second day of work, responding to secondhand gossip, and more update: I found an ad for my own job tempted to lie in a job interview? my coworkers are passing around a list of reasons they hate working with me my coworker wants to review my self-evaluation, an anonymous caller said one of my coworkers is dealing drugs, and more November 2014 Sunday free-for-all – November 30, 2014 inheriting a longtime employee who isn’t doing his job, former employee was jailed for stealing $100,000, and more update: my managers are giving me contradictory instructions does it mean anything if an employer says they’ll keep me in their “talent pipeline”? open thread – November 28, 2014 my boss told me “sorry isn’t good enough anymore,” wearing see-through blouses to work, and more the season of holiday office dramas begins today… update: my boss is frequently absent and neglects his work update: I was a test subject in a counseling session at work and now I regret it my employee constantly interrupts me with unnecessary updates and questions my job wants to use Facebook to monitor employees, demoralized by a coworker’s promotion, and more my coworker tried to pressure us into giving away our bonuses how to lead a project when you come in mid-stream my staff are sending too many personal emails to each other during the day HR rep insisted on reading my email, my manager has asked for brutally honest feedback, and more where are you now? 5 workplace trends to be thankful for company is banning alcohol at its holiday party, even if we buy it ourselves my boss keeps touching my hand, the point of bonuses, and more Sunday free-for-all – November 23, 2014 a horrible coworker listed me as a job reference, my company won’t pay for meals on work travel, and more update: what to do when you have moral qualms about your employer’s line of business open thread – November 21, 2014 I’m interviewing for the same job as my former employee, my coworker shared my salary info, and more my employer won’t interview me for an open position, even though I’m already doing the work when’s the last time you thanked a coworker for being awesome? my dad wants to apply for a job on my very small team my employer is competing with my walking group, job searching after generous medical leave, and more how do I resign when I can’t get time to meet with my busy manager? ask the readers: should an employer know about an employee’s history with hate groups? a secretary is holding up my job offer, I’m worried about how my peers will react to my promotion, and more when an employee stops coming to work, do we have to formally fire them? having a bad boss can make you sick, superstars can struggle to bond with their teams, and more I thought I liked my new boss, but I’m worried about how she treated a coworker my manager is disconnected and hands-off, my manager is pushing me to work I don’t want to do, and more 2 reader updates (with happy endings) 5 on-the-job benefits that sound great but don’t always deliver I turned down a job offer and now the recruiter is invoicing me someone keeps rearranging my desk, did my manager give me the finger, and more Sunday free-for-all – November 16, 2014 giving feedback to an unprofessional job candidate, staying in a two-bedroom suite with a colleague, and more update: I was hired to run a department — but the old boss is still there, 10 months later open thread – November 14, 2014 how long can I stay home with my kids, invasive questionnaire for job candidates, and more I think my employee lied about damage to a company vehicle what to do when your team disagrees with your decision my coworker is too nosy about how I’m spending my time off does my boss want to have an affair with me, I feel guilty about resigning, and more my interviewer asked me to buy make-up from her and then rejected me for the job how to search for a new job – without your current employer finding out my boss refuses to give me a job description and told me to stop asking for one my manager wants me to marry a stranger, exit interviews in toxic workplaces, and more my coworker uses a yoga ball as a chair how to do a great job on a stretch assignment my employee won’t copy me on his email, manager purposely gives negative references, and more why can’t I keep this position filled? my job wants me to deal with shotguns, guard dogs, mud holes, and dark woods Want a better intranet? Try Igloo. my manager’s girlfriend just joined our team, my boss doesn’t understand what I do, and more Sunday free-for-all – November 9, 2014 refusing an offensively small raise, a lying boss, and more my boss is a nightmare — should I quit without another job lined up? open thread – November 7, 2014 I lied to quit my job, how many microwaves should an office kitchen have, and more when a job ad says a preferred candidate has been identified 4 cool tools to help you manage your week better how do I recover from a huge, fireable mistake at work? am I wrong not to share job contacts with friends, a sexually explicit Facebook snafu, and more my manager invited me to a product party my coworker told a candidate’s current employer that he’s job-searching interview with a lab worker at the Arctic Circle my boss wants me to buy a client flowers with my own money, my interviewer contacted our mutual Facebook connections, and more my coworker will only talk to me over g-chat what to do when you don’t have the right person to delegate work to is it ever okay to leave a job after less than a year? suggesting a coworker has a learning disability, putting personal appointments on a team calendar, and more my coworker keeps taking the office’s magazines into the bathroom are you haunted by your last bad job? everyone in my office keeps their doors shut, who controls the mail room, and more Sunday free-for-all – November 2, 2014 should I recommend my boyfriend for a job at my company, how to respond to homophobic remarks at work, and more October 2014 I’m not doing any of the work I was hired to do — and my boss doesn’t care Halloween open thread – October 31, 2014 wearing a Halloween costume to an interview, talking to an employee with fuzzy thinking, and more I’m working a flexible schedule for a 10% cut in pay but producing 100% of what I used to what to do when 2 people on your team don’t get along my coworker went through my trash can to get me in trouble my interviewer asked me about personal items from Facebook, coworker insists on special email subject lines, and more I’m in trouble for pushing back on a Boss’s Day gift collection our manager periodically flips out and jams her authority down our throats I was called “mean” for reporting a coworker for stealing, not asking questions at an interview, and more should I let a company pay to use my resume in a job bid? how to convince your boss to give you more responsibility my boss thinks I made a mistake — but I didn’t my boss monitors my work from her home computer, cover letters when you’re not a great writer, and more update: when a married client brings his mistress to dinner 5 rules for celebrating Halloween at work my boss asked me to leave my desk every time I sneeze or blow my nose my boss’s praise is alienating my coworkers, dealing with frustrated temps, and more Sunday free-for-all – October 26, 2014 our intern talks like a child, should my resume mention training to be a fitness instructor, and more what kind of volunteering is most helpful? open thread – October 24, 2014 reference quandary for an employee I don’t want to keep, banning jalapeños, and more sorry, no calls you’re making 4 mistakes in your one-on-ones with your team how should we handle holiday vacation requests when we need to ensure coverage in the office? job application wants me to list contact info for my friends, ads that target “recent college grads,” and more my manager said I’m emasculating an employee (or how to respond to gendered feedback) how to get along with a disgruntled coworker who dislikes our boss my former boss is engaging in weird LinkedIn behavior, I feel guilty about leaving my job, and more HR emailed our department to say that someone has Hepatitis A 5 things likely to disrupt your project plan should I be in trouble for occasionally starting work a few minutes late? my office only assigns women to cover the phones, I can’t pronounce a coworker’s name, and more business live action role-play, online blunders that can cost you a job, and more I took a year off to travel and now employers are holding it against me expect these 5 questions at your next interview how to answer “what do you do?” when you’re unemployed, employer restricts how I can spend my salary, and more Sunday free-for-all – October 19, 2014 my company banned PDA, I’m concerned about my boss’s possible replacement, and more should I use wording from the job ad in my resume or cover letter? open thread – October 17, 2014 my coworkers were on their phones during a job interview, my work computer breaks daily, and more is my law degree keeping me from getting interviews? 7 ways you’re annoying your manager without realizing it my employee keeps venting to other team members, I regret recommending someone for a job, and more how can I ask whether I’m doing well enough at my new job? is there a polite way to walk out of an interview? negotiating a sign-on bonus, my new coworkers chat all day long, and more how your mate impacts your career, pre-cations, and more I’m training my replacement and worried she’s not right for the job I don’t want my staff to know how young I am, an ass-grabbing coworker, and more can your employer do that? probably — but you can still discuss it how to respond to an angry, profanity-laced email from a coworker I can’t let go of wanting a job that isn’t contacting me, my new boss didn’t acknowledge my mother’s death, and more Sunday free-for-all – October 12, 2014 my nosy coworker keeps joining my conversations, re-interviewing after a job rejection, and more a client paid half my fee and then disappeared before giving me any work open thread – October 10, 2014 my CEO wants us to wear pants with the company logo on the butt, dealing with a bad reference, and more I was asked to set aside four hours for a 10-15-minute phone call how to help staff members step out of their comfort zones how can I get more comfortable talking on the phone? one of my employees hit another, using a work printer for personal use, and more my phone voice sounds like the other gender is it unprofessional to put your feet up on your desk? my boss is trying to fix me up with his friend, offering to pay for job leads, and more what question do you wish you had asked before taking your current job? how to be your own boss — even when you have a manager my boss is ordering me to illegally trespass at a store where I’ve been banned my top performer constantly texts and web-surfs, asking about drug testing during an interview, and more I was late, badly prepared, and cried at an interview — why did they offer me the job? how to deal with a lazy coworker my boss seems irritated when I ask questions, new job wants me to travel for a month at a time, and more Sunday free-for-all – October 5, 2014 I’m in training with a much slower coworker, contacting my boyfriend’s boss, and more how long should a cover letter be? open thread – October 3, 2014 my employer revoked everyone’s telecommuting status, my coworker copied my LinkedIn profile, and more your workplace is gross 3 ways to build accountability on your team is this job rejection a load of bull? should I ask for a lower salary, my boss wants me to inflate people’s performance ratings, and more I was hired to run a department — but the old boss is still there, 10 months later how to manage off-site employees my coworker kept vomiting in our shared office and wouldn’t go home getting clients to stick to deadlines, recovering from a bad video interview, and more September 2014 did my interviewer give my resume a numerical grade? 5 mistakes to avoid in your one-on-one’s with your manager do I have to call my coworker “Rabbi”? you need a better intranet: Igloo an interviewer said he doesn’t care about my happiness, can my boss make us all ride in his car, and more asking for a promotion as part of taking on a massive amount of new work 5 signs that your resume is holding you back yes, government interviews suck — but here’s how you can do well in them anyway the right time to bring in personal belongings to a new job, I was told to bring a pay stub to a job interview, and more Sunday free-for-all – September 28, 2014 my employer made me a contractor without telling me, sitting down at trade shows, and more how do I ask my new job to let me use a pseudonym? open thread – September 26, 2014 my coworkers keep venting to me about things I can’t help with, not hearing back from a client, and more can I ask for an extra week of vacation, even though I’m entry-level? how a 20-minute meeting after every project can help you do better work how can I prepare my teenager for the workforce? I’m a bookkeeper for a company that doesn’t pay its bills on time, rejecting applicants who don’t meet basic qualifications, and more if everyone dresses casually at my new job, can I still wear a suit and tie? how to get along with your most annoying coworkers my manager keeps complaining to me about her own boss I found an ad for my own job, my manager tells us to bill for hours we didn’t work, and more is it rude to call out an employee’s name when I want them to come into my office and they’re nearby? how can my resume demonstrate initiative, problem-solving, work ethic, and other qualities? how to team-build — without trust falls, rope courses, or lengthy off-sites can I suggest a candidate to replace my low-performing boss, job hunting with a fragrance allergy, and more my employer makes you wait 3 years for a raise and is staffed by lunatics employers, stop labeling Millennials wearing school colors when interviewing at a university, recommending a fired employee, and more Sunday free-for-all – September 21, 2014 should I reach back out about a job I was rejected for, convincing a friend to job-search, and more I’m losing out on job offers because I don’t make enough eye contact open thread – September 19, 2014 asking my boss why he’s disengaged, telling a coworker not to use Comic Sans, and more why does a neat or messy desk reflect on your productivity? 4 keys to building a team that delivers results my interviewers seem like they haven’t read my resume, my coworkers keep rummaging through my papers, and more my coworker is tracking my hours how to earn respect as the new hire as a new manager, am I saying “I’m sorry” too much? withdrawing a job offer, gifts from the boss, and more can you have close work friendships when you’re in HR? the word men don’t hear in performance reviews, the 40-hour work week is dead, and more my job is pushing me to get a smartphone and I don’t want one my coworker hogs the coffee supplies, suspicious sick days, and more my coworker won’t stop commenting on my clothes, handbags, and finances massive discount on the Ask a Manager “how to get a job” bible ask the readers: when parenthood changes work habits fired because of a false complaint, how to answer “Why are you the best person for this job?” Sunday free-for-all – September 14, 2014 my coworker told me I’m too loud, salary and demotions, and more things top job candidates never do — which aren’t deal-breakers but which don’t reflect well on you open thread – September 12, 2014 am I obligated to share my work with my coworker, how to reward an exceptional employee, and more how do I tell my boss that our new hire needs to be fired? how to make performance evaluations useful to your team I’m not the go-to person for my team, coworker’s nude photos, and more my coworker refused to help with a request I sent her how can we solve our office’s thermostat war? can I recover from a bad phone interview, a recruiter changed my resume, and more I want to ban energy drinks at my office how to keep other teams from being your team’s roadblock HR rigged our company raffle the best day of the week to apply for a job, email accounts for former employees, and more I called the police on an angry driver, who turned out to be a coworker 5 hidden costs of a new job should I take out my nose ring for job interviews, and other nose ring conundrums I reported my awful manager to HR and it’s not going well, refusing to give out employee salary info, and more Sunday free-for-all – September 7, 2014 new employee wants me to hire her boyfriend, managing student workers, and more update: after I resigned, my boss asked me to drive 1,000 miles at my own expense open thread – September 5, 2014 should I resign without notice since I’m making so many mistakes, how far out can I push my start date, and more 10 weirdest things you’ve seen at work does a quick rejection indicate that a human never saw my application materials? interview with a former receptionist at a legal brothel my manager’s daughter’s wedding will separate men and women, job searching soon after starting a new job, and more my manager won’t manage and tells us to “police our own ranks” California will require paid sick leave, how to change the font size here, and more I’m frustrated by my office’s constant Nerf gun battles is it okay to clip your nails at work, explaining why I don’t want a promotion, and more can I ask my new manager why she hired me? how to know a remote worker has checked out – and what to do about it should companies let employees use e-cigarettes at their desks? how to handle customer complaints about coworkers, discrimination in hiring, and more double standards: why your interviewer can take interruptions during an interview but you can’t I was promoted but still get asked to do my old job, I asked for a lower performance evaluation rating, and more August 2014 weekend free-for-all – August 30-31, 2014 I hate my promotion and want my old job back, horrid interviewers, and more what should I look for when interviewing college students? open thread – August 29, 2014 how to turn down requests to visit our office, retroactive pay decreases, and more how do I tell my coworkers that I have incurable cancer and it’s progressing? what to do when an employee makes a serious mistake what’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen at work? listing a brothel job on a resume, blocking coworker from Facebook posts, and more how to tell a coworker to stop touching you are you sending the right signals at work? my boss keeps pushing me to drink my remote team isn’t responsive, my managers joke about not hiring women who might get pregnant, and more bad bosses, inappropriate interview questions, and more first-time manager? here’s what you need to know did I offend my formerly friendly colleague? I’m afraid my temporary replacement will change my job, confusing job descriptions, and more an employer told me they don’t provide written offers what to do when you’re stuck in a job you hate interviewing when an employer has a horrible website, same-sex sharing of hotels on business trips, and more weekend free-for-all – August 23-24, 2014 a coworker sent a snarky email about me, people who hover over your computer, and more dealing with callers who want short-notice appointments with my boss open thread – August 22, 2014 my boss won’t let me floss at work, leaving during the busiest time of year, and more I was a test subject in a counseling session at work and now I regret it are you giving your employees enough feedback? company is giving us secret aptitude tests, new employees and dress code, and more how much talking in a meeting is too much? how to manage your boss ask the readers: how to move from white-collar work to blue-collar work my coworker wants me to goof off so she doesn’t look bad, peanut allergies when interviewing, and more when a job ad says a skill you don’t have is “a plus” when your former peer becomes your manager I think my manager tampered with my drinking water job applicants bearing gifts, turning down a LinkedIn recommendation request, and more my coworker exploded when I let our boss know about his major mistake 8 things you can’t do when you’re new to the job – but they’ll be okay to do later I snapped at my boss, is it okay to use color on a resume, and more Sunday free-for-all – August 17, 2014 employees who take double lunches, nicknames on resumes, and more I’m leaving a toxic job but feel guilty about leaving my team behind open thread – August 15, 2014 handling abusive clients, do early job applicants have an advantage, and more my creative role has turned into drudgery for the foreseeable future how to gain your manager’s trust my boss is frequently absent and neglects his work can I ask if my coworker will be fired, whether to give a struggling employee more time, and more looking professional after working out at lunch my new staff resents me — what do I do? should companies respond to Glassdoor reviews? shocking criticism in an annual review, job-fair-style interviews, and more how to make your boss adore you my boss makes us all keep kosher for Passover too much info is killing your productivity, brainstorming doesn’t work, and more does every job applicant deserve a reply, awful language at work, and more my office is forcing us to do karaoke for “fun” why you shouldn’t quit your job until you’ve accepted a new one my boss implied I let religion impact a hiring decision, a new employee is snarking at me, and more Sunday free-for-all – August 10, 2014 should I hold a grudge over the job I didn’t get, restrictive new PTO policy, and more my job didn’t warn me that I’d be temporarily laid off each summer open thread – August 8, 2014 accepted a promotion without talking salary, name-dropping in interviews, and more I was held hostage and insulted at a group interview of 45 people how’s the new layout working for you? how to terrify your new employee my boss slapped my hand, I was fired and then invited back, and more my assistant let us believe she has a key certification that she doesn’t actually have the 7 biggest mistakes managers make can my employer install spyware on my personal computer I use for work? I can’t get a job because of a mistake I made at 17, resigning when my boss will explode, and more my manager doesn’t want me to meet with clients unless I lose weight how to have more influence at work how long of a work gap is bad for your resume, my boss makes me do his grocery shopping, and more my coworker treats me like his assistant how to adjust to your young new coworkers my manager loves my coworker and hates me, choosing a girlfriend or a job, and more Sunday free-for-all – August 3, 2014 does it look immature to ask what time to show up on my first day, inviting coworkers to a wedding, and more what to ask someone who has the job you just got promoted to open thread – August 1, 2014 some changes… will martial arts hurt my boyfriend’s career in child care, I sent money to an employer who has disappeared, and more July 2014 how to gain respect as the new boss my boss won’t accept my resignation am I misrepresenting my commitment to a job, calling a coworker “daddy,” and more following Ask a Manager on Facebook? there’s something you should know how do I fire the most popular person in the office? can I keep my company truck when I leave to stick it to my company? my interviewer kept laughing at me, my managers are giving me contradictory instructions, and more update: when your boss is a raging alcoholic what to do when your team is missing deadlines my coworker is arguing with every decision I make — on a project that I’m leading my coworker spread a rumor that I have racist tattoos, what to expect in a third interview, and more update: I caught an employee in a lie 5 ways to modernize your job search manager wants to buy underwear for employees — and wants to approve it first bringing a boyfriend to an interview, preventing overtime abuse, and more Sunday free-for-all – July 27, 2014 asking about birth control coverage when interviewing, reporting plagiarism, and more managers: you should ask your staff what’s not getting done open thread – July 25, 2014 offensive comments heard secondhand, performance evaluations that ban comments, and more how to delegate last-minute work without a mutiny is it weird to eat throughout the day at my desk? how should students pick a college major? did I violate work-friends protocol, where’s my promotion, and more was this email condescending or territorial? is it legal for publications not to pay their writers? how can I get an employee to solve problems on her own, when does my two weeks notice start, and more my office permits bad behavior under the guise of harmony why you need a vacation (even when there’s no time) how can I get a job description, what heels are too high for work, and more update: I’m being penalized for not participating in monthly athletic events at work company scheduled a phone interview by telling me to be available “the next couple of days” the problem with “gentle reminders” — and other lesser-known email offenses you might be committing is my VP warning me about layoffs, interviewing while breast-feeding, and more Sunday free-for-all – July 20, 2014 giving input for someone else’s evaluation, the job I wanted to apply to disappeared, and more my boss gives in to my coworker’s temper tantrums open thread – July 18, 2014 we’re not allowed to exercise while staffing a conference, employer wants my high school diploma, and more how should I handle this unprofessional interviewer? my coworker was arrested for a horrifying crime and is returning to work how to leave work behind when you go on vacation photos on business cards, when to remove college accolades from your resume, and more update: my struggling new employee thinks her pushiness is “enthusiasm” how important is it to answer every question perfectly during a job interview? my new coworker is pushing a pyramid scheme on us asking for a higher raise, my manager wants me to start telemarketing, and more my coworker keeps emailing higher-ups about typos your work-life balance depends on your manager’s, what email does to your brain, and other things to know this week my coworker kissed me and now his wife is emailing me, mentioning a bonus on a resume, and more an update from our most notorious letter ever: I had to prepare a meal and entertain 20 people for a job interview what to do if you can’t find a job my boss demands to know how I’m spending my time off before he’ll approve it my office is moving to my boss’s house, difficult interns, and more Sunday free-for-all – July 13, 2014 is my employer suggesting I apply to other jobs, vacation time after giving notice, and more do you have to tell your boss why you’re quitting? open thread – July 11, 2014 unsolicited resumes from strangers, telling someone grad school isn’t for them, and more how big of a deal are mistakes when you’re new to a job? how to get your boss to read your emails I tried to negotiate salary and haven’t heard anything back, bug bites at work, and more Holding people accountable isn’t always about formal action. Sometimes it’s just a direct conversation. my coworker keeps trying to goad me into political arguments 8 things your boss won’t tell you … but wishes you knew my boss wants me to do something skeevy, an undeserved free lunch, and more do employers really look down on drinking and partying? how to keep track of the work you’ve delegated how can I tell if things are going well at my new job, the competition tried to recruit me, and more is this company stringing me along? why employers don’t like long-distance job candidates headshots in your email signature, coworker gets more assignments, and more Sunday free-for-all – July 6, 2014 did my boss lie to me, using info from one employee about another, and more open thread – July 4, 2014 should my cover letter explicitly ask for an interview? how to fend off nosy coworkers my coworker insulted me in an email, sharing a bedroom with coworkers, and more I can’t get used to calling coworkers by their first names ask the readers: should I band together with coworkers to request a different work-from-home policy? my boss isn’t doing his work, coworker won’t stop calling me a silly nickname, and more update: I gossiped and now my coworker doesn’t trust me resume weirdness, #271 how to delegate when your team is already overloaded I give off nervous energy in interviews, I don’t want my old boss to evaluate me, and more June 2014 can this dysfunctional organization be saved? 4 things your company might tell you that simply aren’t true my boss told me not to say I lead the team, is my manager blogging at work, and more Sunday books and free-for-all – June 29, 2014 staying with friends when traveling for an interview, job was mysteriously canceled, and more ending an interview early when your interviewer is a jerk open thread – June 27, 2014 I want to lie to my boss about missing a flight, what kind of kitchen supplies should an office provide, and more our European clients are sneering at my American colleagues’ table manners tales of office busybodies: your nosiest coworkers should I ask if I’m going to be fired, I’ve been too pushy at work, and more job-searching when you share a name with a porn star how do I manage work outside my comfort area? negotiating pay when filling in for a maternity leave, bankruptcy cooties, and more should I send a post-interview thank-you if I’m not sure how enthusiastic I am about the job? six-hour workdays, Zappos’ big move to kill job postings, and other things to know this week my struggling new employee thinks her pushiness is “enthusiasm” if you dislike smelly things, Zero Odor is for you can I tell callers that my coworkers aren’t going to call them back, giving candidates interview guidance, and more can I say something about my coworker’s graphic, violent tattoo? 7 mistakes you might be making before your job interview even happens interviewer wants me to commit to the job before getting an offer, wearing shorts to work, and more Sunday free-for-all – June 22, 2014 I was promised job benefits that I’m not getting, sending your LinkedIn profile instead of a resume, and more interviewer had concerns about me from the start we accidentally left a new employee behind when we went to lunch, too-fast interview invitations, and more open thread – June 20, 2014 how can I get out of running my workplace’s United Way campaign? have you had a nosy coworker? employee is terrified of balloons, wife is hitchhiking to work, and more why do interviewers ask about your favorite books or movies? stop attending so many meetings parents who call in sick for their kids, interviewers who ask questions already answered on your resume, and more my employee constantly cries when things don’t go her way signs your team isn’t communicating well I accepted a job without finding out the salary, my colleague works 24-7, and more my employer wants me to repay business expenses because I’m resigning how much time should you spend on your job search? asking for a raise when your commute changes, feeling left out of a going-away party, and more Sunday free-for-all – June 15, 2014 firing an employee who might cause sabotage, renegotiating a new job’s salary, and more cc’ing managers when you email your coworkers open thread – June 13, 2014 declining a lunch or breakfast meeting without being rude, disorganized recruiters, and more do not do these things, ever (employer edition) how to make 1-on-1 check-in meetings more useful my employee keeps flirting with me interviewer asked if I’m still interested in the job, an indiscreet admin, and more my boss spoofed my caller ID to trick me into answering his call what to do if your boss asks you to resign employee opened everyone’s paychecks to see what they make, asking why it took so long to be interviewed, and more a parking shortage at my job is forcing me to park a mile away what to do if you’re turned down for a raise or promotion my boss puts incompetent coworker in charge when he’s away, explaining what I’ve done since my layoff, and more I was asked to pick up someone’s lunch when I arrived for a job interview how to rock your interview but lose the job offer I overheard my manager complaining about me, my coworker is a frequent surrogate mother, and more Sunday free-for-all – June 8, 2014 a computer-throwing coworker, a new manager calling employers from 9 years ago, and more offering to consult after resigning open thread – June 6, 2014 my former boss emails me daily, I’m being fired for writing in wet cement, and more do not do these things, ever (job seeker edition) my boss doesn’t want student workers eating lunch with other employees, because they might hear “adult subjects” stories of the greatest bosses of all time how can I cheat my temp agency, how do I know if I did well in an interview, and more my client is calling me 7 times a day is it okay to bring your kid to work when your child care falls through? horrible boss’s farewell party, substitutes for cover letters, and more should I go around HR and apply with the hiring manager directly? when your team constantly back-burners your priorities should I give my colleague feedback on her employee, written reference questionnaires, and more who was your best boss? how to evaluate a job offer my employer heard I was interviewing and confronted me how to reject an internal candidate, I can’t afford interview travel, and more Sunday free-for-all May 2014 coworker never tells us when she’s working from home, employee refuses to track mileage, and more my new employee wanted to quit and now wants to stay open thread – May 30, 2014 coworkers who roll their eyes in meetings, my friend went after a job I wanted, and more don’t start your cover letter with “my name is” and other rules my boyfriend won’t share info about our coworkers, employees who can’t multi-task, and more I showed up for my interview on the wrong day will taking a year off after college affect your job prospects? my former boss was detained by police for stalking me, repeating words on a resume, and more my coworker is constantly convinced he’s going to get fired managers judge night owls, LinkedIn judges your popularity, and more my childhood friend just took a job at my office, my reference is upset with me, and more where are they now: 3 reader updates should I worry that I’m being overpaid? my low-performing employee can’t take feedback, telling coworkers I eloped, and more my new hire keeps cc’ing my manager on everything, new coworker is distracting me during training, and more when a job ad doesn’t list the true qualifications the employer is seeking open thread – May 23, 2014 listing time as a stay-at-home parent on your resume, recruiter wants me to run jobs by her before I apply, and more update: my coworker is planning a “CEOs & Office Hoes” party what it really means to manage up how can I recover from being embarrassingly drunk at a work event? manager wants us constantly available on WhatsApp, leaving dates off a resume, and more when do I start negotiating salary? it’s not just helicopter parents — it’s helicopter professors too my coworker makes more money than me, but we do the same work can I ask an interviewer if I would have my own office, my coworker is avoiding me, and more how long should interviews last? how to keep a “small company” culture as your business gets bigger a parent asks: what’s wrong with my daughter’s rude, frustrating interviewers? my boss joined my Toastmasters club, why hiring managers look at LinkedIn profiles, and more 7 signs that your manager just doesn’t like you should you go to graduate school? should we have job candidates do group activities with each other? our manager is never at work, my coworker told a board member I’m upset at work, and more my coworker called my presentation “cute,” employee refuses to stop using company address for personal mail, and more refusing more work unless you get a raise or promotion open thread – May 16, 2014 should I meet with the person who replaced me at my toxic job, what to say to plagiarists, and more my coworker is planning a “CEOs & Office Hoes” party what should I say to parents who are job-searching on behalf of their kids? video conferencing at work? here’s how to be more likable on video should I tell my staff I’m personally paying for the treats I bring them, my contract wasn’t renewed and they won’t tell me why, and more my boss is mentally ill which matters more: skills or personality? how to create a resume from scratch my coworker has an inappropriate LinkedIn photo, responding to a candidate’s rejection of our offer, and more LinkedIn is not a dating site how to avoid telling employees “because I said so” my manager threatened to fire me or lower my pay if I don’t help clean the lunchroom my coworkers keep badmouthing my boss to me, is it okay to just order coffee at a lunch interview, and more hiring someone who will need two airplane seats when she travels how to get a job when you don’t have experience want me to review your resume? can I ask my staff to be nicer, beauty routines during class, and more my volunteer role has become full-time and I want to be paid, jobs without benefits, and more why don’t hiring managers look for potential in people? open thread – May 9, 2014 what if my coworker fails a class I teach, hiring the long-term unemployed, and more 4 random things help! my new boss hates me your 7 biggest career sins my junior coworker won’t stop complaining about how hungry she is in meetings my manager asked me if this is the right job for me, requests for online reviews when you’d rather decline, and more should you always negotiate salary? my coworker has an offensive bobble-head doll on his desk why haven’t I heard back after my job interview? former employer wants me to fill out paperwork 6 months after I left, boss stole friend’s wallet, and more update about the employee who added the F-word to a client form how to work amid chaos and constant change my new coworker wants to forbid music in the office wet Speedos in the office, my manager has gone AWOL, and more my coworker self-published an X-rated book and won’t stop promoting it at work how to deal with a bad performance review Sam, Lucy, and Olive would like a minute of your time a stolen cover letter, an invitation to my boss’s spouse’s birthday party, and more I accidentally told my boss I’d work for free, I flubbed an interview answer, and more should a candidate ever give a company feedback on its hiring process? open thread – May 2, 2014 my father-in-law is pouting after I resigned, double toilet trouble, and more things that don’t matter in your job search my boss is smothering me what’s your worst career sin? my manager cites God’s will in response to complaints, a senior coworker’s work sucks, and more April 2014 why do I have to submit an application when I’m already providing my resume? an employee added the F-word to a client form my manager is venting about work on Facebook, asking for outside feedback on my work, and more my new coworker is pushing huge amounts of junk food on me how to find the time you need to get more work done I was asked to work more slowly so others don’t look bad, the purpose of a mentor, and more I sent chocolate to a hiring manager but haven’t heard back what your internship manager wishes you knew my coworkers’ wives don’t want them to work with a woman, my manager won’t let me say goodbye to my clients, and more I don’t want to say hello to my horrible coworker, we get comp time that we can’t take, and more my boss won’t let me come up with new ideas open thread – April 25, 2014 my boss didn’t talk to me directly about a new project, I feel like I’m enabling a bad boss, and more update: my rude and intrusive coworker makes me feel horrible our museum volunteer is out of control how to give presentations that won’t put people to sleep – even if you’re shy my company said I could work remotely but then replaced me, unwanted help from a coworker, and more update: my coworker wants me to have a sleepover with her my bosses’ dog keeps attacking my coworkers how to spot a bad boss — before you take the job naming your dog after your manager, tying pay to off-duty conduct, and more “I am confident I am the best candidate for the job” is a ridiculous thing to say my coworker’s stress is stressing me out how to survive work travel and keep your sanity my office is fighting about overhead lighting, how to address an employee’s bad attitude, and more update: my assistant keeps commenting on my appearance how to make your new boss regret hiring you my boss has romantic phone conversations that bother me because I’m single my wife had an affair with her manager, being underweight in job interviews, and more frustrated by my parents’ employee’s constant complaining, over-sharing in a cover letter, and more can you be a good manager if you’re shy? open thread – April 18, 2014 my employees say their coworker slacks off when I’m not around, explaining an 18-month internship, and more what to do when you disagree with your manager’s feedback the winner of the hiring advice contest is… 8 workplace dilemmas you might face — and how to overcome them now managers are calling millennials’ parents asking my boss to move his vacation days, I’m being laid off and don’t want a goodbye lunch, and more update: how can I tell my coworkers their Halloween costumes are racist? I quit my job 2 months ago, and my employer wants to retroactively make it a firing the questions I get asked the most I caught my employee in a lie, sending an e-card after an interview, and more I pulled a prank on a coworker — and it ended badly talk about your job / ask about other people’s jobs banning email after-hours, rescinded job offers, and other things to know this week my coworker is getting credit for my work, impossible billable hours requirements, and more my friend wrote a novel at work – should I tell our employer? 7 beliefs about your job search that are all wrong what do you wish you knew before you started hiring people? my manager threatened to kick my ass, using vacation time when my company closes early, and more how to tell someone their email font is unprofessional, letting a company know about their bad reputation, and more I’m still emotional after a bad performance review me, talking about how to manage open thread – April 11, 2014 a company I want to work for blocked me on social media, my mentor declined to be a reference for me, and more update: how can I back out of a mentoring relationship? am I overstepping when I try to be emotionally intelligent? 5 abuses of email that will destroy your productivity my new employee started a client meeting without me, my managers wants a formal resignation before I’m ready, and more update: my manager showed up at my house and beat on the doors and windows 5 dangers in working for a bad boss will I look like I’m goofing off if I take notes on a tablet at meetings? work lunches when you’re fasting for Lent, my husband’s retirement party still hasn’t happened, and more update: does the admin in my new office have boundary issues? how to manage work when you don’t have authority over the people doing it ask the readers: urging an employee to dress more formally … to help her advance, not because she’s outside the dress code I’m doing way more work than I signed up for, my manager over-shares about my coworkers, and more update: my coworker is having a phantom pregnancy can my boss really do that? should I mention future plans for a family when interviewing? my old manager won’t hire someone to replace me, is my manager undermining me, and more managing an unmotivated staff, getting out of office lunches, and more I’m anxious about leaving my bad job for a better one open thread – April 4, 2014 should I tell my employer if I file for bankruptcy, using speaker phone during a phone interview, and more my manager wants to be cc’d on all my emails employer scheduled an interview with me — but just assigned me a date and time without asking about my schedule the 10 worst coworkers of all time my employer wants me to stay in hotels that feel unsafe, being told to repay $3.91 for expensing aspirin, and more update: my coworkers heard my roommates having sex while I was on a conference call starting your first job? here are 10 things you need to know I gossiped and now my coworker doesn’t trust me my coworker blew up over a photo, employee keeps bugging me to interview someone, and more update: my manager got demoted because of me – and now we have to go to a tropical island for team-building should I tell my employer that I’m bringing a legal concealed weapon to work? back slowly away from your email and pick up the damn phone responding to an unprofessional resignation, pitting companies against each other to get a better offer, and more March 2014 the Onion: 95% of grandfathers got their jobs by walking up and asking you are misapplying job search advice my coworkers heard my roommates having sex while I was on a conference call is it presumptuous to ask for an office, giving feedback to a creepy rejected job candidate, and more my boss keeps asking to borrow money, employer wants to know how much my other job offers are, and more if you wildly over-reach in your salary negotiation, you will look like a loon application deadlines are misleading you open thread – March 28, 2014 my coworker won’t stop interrupting me while I train her, going by a middle name, and more my boss heard I’m afraid of him, but I’m not … I just make comments about his grumpiness how can I make sure I’m hiring people who will thrive in our demanding firm? comments, crankiness, and civility I’m afraid a manager will find my trash-talking emails about her, affairs with married coworkers, and more are you really as busy as you think you are? do you want to work at a nonprofit? should a resigning employee have to reimburse us for costs of a future conference he signed up for? my manager shared my pregnancy with people before I did, divorce at work, and more is this email from my coworker manipulative and weird? how to succeed when deadlines and priorities constantly change how to talk to an employee who frequently calls in sick before or after a weekend I want quiet but I want to be likable, retro pay for a late performance review, and more update: we took up a collection for a coworker to get to a funeral, but she lied about it and didn’t go if you’re getting interviews but no job offers, here’s what to do an employer wants to take a photo of me at my interview my boss is being investigated by HR, broken promises in an offer letter, and more we have to write letters to our boss while she decides whether to re-hire us, fired for refusing to answer manager’s questions on the weekend, and more stop telling me that you work well independently and in groups open thread my assistant keeps commenting on my appearance, I seem too shy in interviews, and more update: my coworker sent a hostile resignation email to our team, and now wants me to attend a going-away party my boss wants everyone to donate personal money back to our employer thermostat wars, reply-all, and other unsolved problems of the modern office employee didn’t seem happy to get a raise, my coworker has pinkeye, and more how do I tell my manager I’m dating a coworker? 10 annoying email habits to break today we took up a collection for a coworker to get to a funeral, but she lied about it and didn’t go my manager wants me to lie to a new coworker, I’m mentoring a know-it-all, and more why you should ask for feedback, even if you’re scared my coworkers talk over me and I think I’m causing it stop using the compliment sandwich … and more ways to give better feedback convincing a company to let me work long-distance, should I explain that I took six months off due to stress, and more what process or problem has yet to be solved at your office? 7 questions to ask yourself before asking for a raise my boss is obsessed with treating me like a Millennial returning to work after 10 years as a “kept woman,” should I let my manager know about my crippling anxiety, and more can I ask for a raise at my 90-day review, how to greet a former employer who fired you, and more I’m angry and insulted that my coworkers did my job for me open thread should I have to pay for a networking meeting, my job isn’t what I was promised it would be, and more update: how can I convince my boss I don’t speak Spanish? why can’t I get feedback after I’m rejected from a job? (3 letters, 1 theme) how your cubicle is holding you back my office has a wall of shame, interviewers keep commenting on my height, and more my client posted thinly-veiled hostile messages about me on Facebook how to find a job long-distance when a coworker missed a deadline, I told her it’s a good thing she’s pretty can my employer confiscate my personal notes, shared printer etiquette, and more my boss is infesting our office with fruit flies should your company switch to unlimited vacation time? when I resigned, my company offered to fire a coworker and promote me I think my boss is getting copies of all my email, wage theft, and more how long should I give a candidate to think over a job offer? how to lose your boss’s trust meet Lucy my staff found me bound and gagged after a robbery, bringing pies to work, and more a recruiter emailed me a dozen annoying interview questions to complete, Phi Beta Kappa on a resume, and more don’t send poetry as your writing sample, and other suggestions for job applicants my company wants to track employees’ volunteer time outside the office, responding to a job inquiry when my resume is out-of-date, and more open thread being asked to include SAT, ACT, or GRE scores with a job application should a sex worker avoid her corporate spouse’s social functions? how is your work space hurting your productivity? how to deal with a hostile interviewer, my boss asked me not to say “y’all” to customers, and more do I look uninterested if I don’t follow up with companies where I’ve applied for a job? how to complain about a coworker my manager showed up at my house and beat on the doors and windows my coworker assumes I’ll always give her a ride home, I’m being singled out for being tardy, and more update: new employee insists we call her “Mrs. ____” even though we all use first names the company president took my chair and I’m sick of being disrespected 10 things great bosses do how can I get junior staff to respect me, a reference doesn’t remember who I am, and more what does this interview question mean? and why must it be answered in an essay? 8 lies interviewers tell job candidates our company ID badges are causing people to stare at women’s chests my boss loaned me money and now insists I repay it all immediately, union membership on a resume, and more coworkers are insensitive after a layoff, trimming down internship experience on a resume, and more February 2014 can I accept a job knowing I plan to leave it in a few months? open thread my office-mate’s breast pump is too noisy, negotiating a 4-day work week, and more how do background checks work? can you leave your home address off your resume? how to improve your presentation skills — without an “eccentric professor” vibe my medical condition flared up just before an interview, being asked to resign before moving part-time, and more my coworker wants me to give him a false reference and lie about his salary 5 mistakes smart people make at work head of job bank outed for sending nasty emails to job seekers should companies prohibit political celebrations, my prosthetic leg made an interviewer uncomfortable, and more is it appropriate to want to be told when my manager won’t be in the office? the 5 worst people to have in your meetings — and how to deal with them my boss watches porn all day, salary and cost-of-living differences, and more new employee insists we call her “Mrs. ____” even though we all use first names the most common job interviews questions — and how to answer them my new hire is badmouthing our business on Twitter, referral bonuses, and more I was promised time off for my wedding that’s now being revoked, salary requirements in a cover letter, and more did I offend the company that just offered me a job? update: our time off is being rescinded — Hunger Games style open thread should I let my staff constantly change desks, verb tense on resumes, and more don’t check references? here’s a horror story for you what surprised you most when you first started working? when a meeting goes off on a social tangent, how can I bring it back to business? my coworker is doing the work I’m supposed to do for him 8 ways companies can attract the best job candidates how can I stop being afraid every time my manager wants to talk to me? who has the final say in hiring, sick day favoritism, and more are personal branding websites a crock? how your company should handle flu season at work after I applied for a job, the HR rep viewed my LinkedIn profile — should I follow up with her? I missed the deadline for a video interview, giving feedback to a part-time intern, and more how to fire your oldest client how can I get out of having lunch with coworkers? sharing resumes with coworkers, should I have to plan a going-away party for my cubicle mate, and more How can I get my staff to stop socializing in front of clients, interviewing with a noticeable rash, and more you won’t find these 7 skills on a job description — but you need them I’ve been breaking into my company’s computer network open thread the office temp is making more than me, I made a mess of asking for a raise, and more what’s wrong with “do what you love,” how employers can get your salary history, and more how to manage a difficult employee who does good work when a married client brings his mistress to dinner I’m being evaluated by a manager who just started last week, my interviewers ignored me, and more interviewing for a job with pieces that I won’t be good at how to know it’s time to leave your job my coworker was arrested for domestic violence in front of us, and our employer won’t do anything about it I’m cranky about having to volunteer in my field, my former employer’s website still lists me as an active employee, and more if you aren’t screening job candidates by phone, you must start now how to manage a team that’s older than you should your manager know how to do your job? my new job was delayed 2 days before my start date, when a beloved manager leaves, and more here’s a real-life example of a great cover letter (with before and after versions!) my new job wants to call me by my full name, which I don’t use The Ask a Manager kitties try SHEBA® cat food how to write a cover letter that will get you an interview stealth interviews, being paid for being stuck at work during snow, and more my hostile manager won’t invite me to the staff party at her house, my grandfather is waking me up too early, and more when I talk to HR, don’t they have to keep it confidential? how much money do you make, part 2 open thread my HR rep used offensive language, should teachers go to nightclubs, and more my coworker is getting the credit for my work how can I manage my team in the aftermath of layoffs? my boss seems annoyed when I stay home every time it snows employer offered me a job but said I offended half the team, my boss is overruling HR, and more my parents say I should offer to work for free for a week to prove myself to employers 12 ways to get the most out of attending a conference how to rewrite your resume to focus on accomplishments, not just job duties how many interviews do employers conduct for one position, should I warn my boss before I shave my head, and more should you ever negotiate salary through email? 5 hiring regrets to avoid before you make a job offer our time off is being rescinded — Hunger Games style should promotions be based on seniority, my boyfriend’s accountant is flirting with him, and more how to reach out to a coworker who was fired 6 small resume changes that will have a big impact should I turn my questions to interviewers into a sales pitch for myself? I think I’m in the wrong career, does my interviewer expect his new hire to fail, and more Should a receptionist tell callers when someone is out sick, consolation prize interviews, and more January 2014 your employer can wipe your phone clean, American bosses, and more my coworker brushes her hair with a fork and cleans her false teeth at her desk open thread can my wife and I apply to do a job jointly, what “thanks for coming in” means, and more when an employer calls me at work, can I ask how long the call will take or to reschedule? employers that ask for high school transcripts from 30 years ago how do I address a glaring weakness in an internal interview? when can you use someone’s first name, when to disclose salary, and more do you need multiple versions of your resume? how to avoid giving employers your salary history how much money do you make? leaving a job off your resume, greeting coworkers by name, and more how far in advance can you request time off? what to do when your manager is a bottleneck pre-employment testing for software developers I don’t want to spend a week in a remote cabin with coworkers while I’m pregnant my manager has crippling anxiety, putting modeling on a resume, and more I’m caught between two companies and a staffing agency keep your flu out of the office when your boss wants to inspect your house before letting you work from home how to avoid socializing with kids at the office, how to end a cover letter, and more I have no idea what salary to expect, I want to stop covering the phones, and more check the name of your resume file I provide my company’s daily cash out of my personal funds open thread I don’t want to do TV interviews, extending a business trip for personal reasons, and more 3 more reader updates ask the readers: what should a company jobs page include? I’m being penalized for not participating in monthly athletic events at work asking a coworker about the real reasons she’s quitting, do I have to reply to recruiters’ emails, and more when a job description keeps changing during the hiring process everything you need to know about snow days at work my employee is acting like a manager even though I’ve told him to stop announcing a layoff on Facebook, getting to know new coworkers, and more should you refuse to sign a performance improvement plan? 5 qualities you really need in your coworkers I was told not to attend a former coworker’s retirement party contacting people who had my job before me, am I overqualified, under-qualified, or just right, and more my boss is constantly urging me to stay at my job, even though I’ve shown no signs of leaving does the admin in my new office have boundary issues? my manager doesn’t give us input on new hires, my manager shared a coworker’s medical details with us, and more housekeeping: mobile version of Ask a Manager? I don’t like the restrictions on my severance, employer is changing pay rate every week, and more I’m annoyed that I got an automated rejection for a job I was invited to apply for by an old boss meeting for training in a coworker’s home, I don’t like my boss’s comments in my performance review, and more open thread my manager got demoted because of me – and now we have to go to a tropical island for team-building can I ask about salary before flying out of state for a job interview? I found out my coworker is getting laid off company is posting job applicants on their website, with contact information my coworker told a customer I didn’t want to do part of my job, I haven’t received my legally mandated backpay, and more my coworker wants me to have a sleepover with her don’t make these 8 mistakes when negotiating salary can training be mandatory if it requires a 3-night stay out of town? should I send a very belated job rejection, getting paid for doing required reading outside of work, and more how to show passion for your work when you’re not a demonstrative person how to manage an employee who’s argumentative when I correct her work 3 work mistakes you don’t realize you’re making how transparent should I be with new hires, is emergency contact info a privacy violation, and more workplace wellness programs aren’t so effective — surprise! 5 ways to make job hunting easier on yourself my coworker is having a phantom pregnancy I don’t want to drive an oversized company vehicle, security guard is addressing me by my first name, and more 2 more reader updates my coworkers think I’m too enthusiastic, telling my competition that we’re up for the same job, and more someone accused me of crying at work — but I didn’t do I have to fake passion to get a job? my boss’s kid punched me in the groin, how to factor overtime pay into salary history, and more open thread you can’t predict your chances of getting a job — really, you can’t ask the readers: better work habits when you have ADHD I had to prepare a meal and entertain 20 people for a job interview — and so did 19 other candidates I can’t do my new job’s required travel, family business disasters, and more my friend doesn’t understand that I can’t meet her for lunch when I’m at work how to respond to an anonymous note that says a temp is stealing 8 ways the economy is still affecting the job market my interview was canceled 10 minutes before it was supposed to start, what to do with company swag, and more why should your references be managers rather than peers? my boss wants me to lie to coworkers about my commute 6 new year’s resolutions for managers who should attend an exit interview, Toastmasters on a resume, and more am I a grinch for expecting my staff to work from home on snow days? my coworker constantly asks us to loan him money new year’s resolutions for upcoming graduates job candidates who won’t talk salary, demoted after maternity leave, and more how should companies handle snow days? my company monitors us to make sure we don’t job search, school-issued email addresses, and more 2 more reader updates should I apply for the stretch job or the slightly-less-of-a-stretch job? open thread my new coworker is rude to clients, my company won’t give me my personal laptop back, and more my manager is incredibly irritating and I’m ready to snap how to find a mentor at work my reference stole a job from me, applying for a promotion after tardiness troubles, and more 4 more reader updates update from the reader managing a lying sister-in-law confession: I used to suck at firing people