2015 Posts Return to main archives January February March April May June July August September October November December December 2015 update: I was hired to run a department — but the old boss is still there, 10 months later most popular posts of 2015 coworker is forwarding requests to my boss, do I have any shot at this job, and more 5 more updates from letter-writers 8 new year’s resolutions for employers what are the ethics of applying for a job that a friend wants? telling a coworker she has B.O., putting degrees in your email signature, and more update: my coworker is bitter that I got the permanent position he wanted 4 workplace trends to watch in 2016 my employee plays games and uses his phone during downtime coworkers leaving love notes for each other, how to pick interns, and more update: how can I help a staff member get better at thinking on her feet? the worst boss of 2015 is… how to answer the interview question “how does this job fit with your career path?” my coworkers are birthday tyrants, job candidate called coworker “annoying,” and more update: our job candidates have to give “positivity presentations” 3 more updates from letter-writers update: should I take off my engagement ring for job interviews? Christmas open thread – December 25-27, 2015 update: team lead wants us to have weekly group meetings to air problems and grievances what to do if you’re stuck working today my team bikes to off-site meetings, and I’m dreading it should our office stop cake collections, disclosing a wage garnishment, and more update: our manager periodically flips out and jams her authority down our throats 4 big productivity traps for managers how to convince an interviewer I’m okay with admin work, even with a master’s degree everyone knew I was fired before I knew, losing a bonus, and more update: my coworker was arrested for DUI and hasn’t told our employer where are they now: 3 more updates from letter-writers how honest should we be about why we’re transferring a client (who sent a creepy, inappropriate email)? manager asked about religion, new job was a scam, and more update: my boyfriend has my old job and there’s tons of drama everything you need to know to ask for a year-end raise vote for the worst boss of 2015 can I bring a crib sheet into interviews to help me answer questions? boss keeps taking holiday gifts meant for the office, companies giving out work schedules to spouses, and more 3 more updates from letter-writers weekend free-for-all – December 19-20, 2015 5 more updates from letter-writers 3 more updates from letter-writers update: my government manager is thwarting public record laws by emailing things to my personal email account all my 2015 book recommendations open thread – December 18, 2015 my boss made a pass at my coworker, asking to be invited to a work party, and more three more updates from letter-writers update: my insecure coworker keeps spying on me and trying to one-up me what your employees really want for the holidays what do job ads mean by “progressively responsible experience”? manager rarely speaks to staff, asking a coworker to stop talking about his gun hobby, and more update: I think I’m burning out — what should I do? 4 more updates from letter-writers how to train a new hire is my trainer sabotaging my work? I keep breaking office chairs, manager asked if I have a problem working for a woman, and more update: dealing with an overly touchy-feely colleague who wants to talk about feelings all the time work spouses, creativity vs. productivity, and more can I tell my manager that I’m NOT pregnant? office party will increase my workload, my wife’s company party makes me uneasy, and more update: my workplace pulled a mean April Fools prank on employees how to ruin employee morale during the holidays my manager keeps exaggerating about my stress level job candidate got company name wrong, makeup at work, and more update: can we delay payroll if someone isn’t turning in their hours on time? weekend free-for-all – December 12-13, 2015 update: my boss has banned hot take-out food at lunch 4 more updates from letter-writers update: my chronically networking husband hands out business cards on date night 2 housekeeping notes (ads, and a new commenting feature) how to interview your potential new boss open thread – December 11, 2015 self-harm scars at work, “years of experience” requirements in job ads, and more update: how to respond to an angry, profanity-laced email from a coworker four more updates from letter-writers is your problem employee coachable? how to get info from job candidates who turn down our offers I caught a coworker searching for adult photos, how to tell my boss I’m a psychopath, and more my coworker stopped talking to me after I asked her not to smoke near our door update: my coworkers are passing around a list of reasons they hate working with me how to get employees to take time off my employees keep going over my head to my boss … and she doesn’t direct them back to me what shirt colors are okay for interviews, citing benefits I don’t use when negotiating salary, and more everything you need to know about holiday gift-giving at work update: coworker has drama-filled calls with his girlfriend 10 times a day how to spot burn-out on your team — and what to do about it when an employee is consumed by news of mass tragedies my friend is blackmailing her boss, employee is overlooking emails, and more update: our museum volunteer is out of control, part 2 how to write a self-assessment for your performance review employee resigned but now wants to stay Legacybox: all your memories, digitized I threw up on the floor during an interview, former employees are banned from our holiday party, and more three more updates from letter-writers weekend free-for-all – December 5-6, 2015 update: my coworker is trying to track my hours and PTO update: my new coworker keeps joking about violence how to take a vacation when your work never stops open thread – December 4, 2015 I distributed layoff plans without permission, new job says I can’t take a previously okayed trip, and more update: my boss turns it into an ordeal every time I ask him a question time off at the holidays: can my employer do that? 4 signs that your team needs you more involved how can I move from retail into a professional career? how late can you call employees at home, dealing with abusive customers, and more update: coworker keeps calling me “baby mama” how to break up with a client managing an employee with inappropriate emotional outbursts coworker was arrested for DUI, asking for a different room assignment, and more update: my new office is full of dogs — and I’m allergic how to prevent alignment problems on your team I have to share a hotel room with my boss on an international trip boss is demanding gifts back, right-wing talk radio in reception, and more November 2015 update: I live where I work, and now there’s a haunted house next to me salary negotiation mistakes that are costing you money when does an employer need to make accommodations for a disability? new hire told me about punching out a neighbor, walk-in interviews, and more weekend free-for-all – November 28-29, 2015 manager blocked internal move, salary when moving to part-time, and more open thread – November 27, 2015 my coworker stole donations from a gift collection, managing a sick employee, and more ’tis the season of workplace holiday angst unexpected gift card, suspect meat in the cafeteria, and more Thanksgiving eve open thread my coworkers keep pressuring me to leave early negotiating a start date with a company that’s moving slowly while pressuring me to start soon overheard a possibly abused coworker, telling an employee I’m moving her office, and more what’s the best timing for rejection letters? don’t say these four things in a performance review what to do when an employee is being repeatedly hit on by an outside contact my wife is modeling jeans for her boss, old owner keeps showing up, and more how to negotiate a 50% increase in salary 8 things you should never tell your interviewer — even if they’re true my mother is a destructive force in my professional life restrictions on plus-ones at a company dinner, employee sent abusive texts from a work phone, and more weekend free-for-all – November 21-22, 2015 can I keep this vendor gift, jobs keep hiring me quickly and then it doesn’t work out, and more are unnatural hair colors getting more acceptable in professional jobs? 3 things I learned by starting my own business in a recession open thread – November 20, 2015 wedding gift favoritism, stinky office-mate, and more we hire people to work in a really tough location — and they keep dropping out before their start date are you a bottleneck for your staff? how much do resume gaps matter? 15 things you can do in your intranet (preferably Igloo) fired employee wants to attend the holiday party, rejected for going to school full-time, and more a coworker at my new job is pressuring me to start before I’m ready to is a bad employee better than no employee at all? my employee has a crush on me, and it’s making me uncomfortable managing him interviewer stole my ideas, holiday bonus angst, and more are mandatory happy hours just part of working in an office? how Zappos’ manager-free model is working out, is working from home contagious, and more my boss’s wife is rude and insulting, and we’re forced to deal with her my manager offered to take a pay cut, rescinding a recommendation, and more my colleagues are pressuring me to turn down a promotion are you breaking these 5 rules of business calls? can I refuse to be alone with a coworker who I had an emotional affair with? how to explain a work backlog, company won’t reimburse expenses after I resigned, and more weekend free-for-all – November 14-15, 2015 child care expenses from team-building retreat, race questions on job applications, and more what to do when your manager won’t manage where are you now? (a call for updates) open thread – November 13, 2015 job hunting as a victim of revenge porn, employee taking two lunches, and more my new coworker keeps spouting offensive political views don’t say these 5 things to your new hire I’ve been told to implement a decision that I think is unethical I’m not my boyfriend’s keeper, employee is openly job searching from work, and more our job candidates have to give “positivity presentations” what to do when a work event includes prayer my coworker is a dominatrix — and it’s fairly public on Facebook does weight impact your career, a disappearing new hire, and more is a higher-paying job worth extra stress? how to know if someone’s really suited to working remotely employer told me that it’s not professional for entry-level candidates to negotiate salary employee wants halal lunch options, answering “would you rather…” interview questions, and more update: my older coworker won’t stop mothering me 8 signs that you’re a problem employee should employees have to train their new manager? my employer wants me to apologize for job-searching, how far back should your resume go, and more weekend free-for-all – November 7-8, 2015 my manager is hassling me about charitable donations, being late to an interview, and more 3 reader updates what to do when your new boss is hard to work with open thread – November 6, 2015 interviewer asked what my favorite fruit is, coworkers keep talking behind closed doors, and more my new company won’t honor the extra week of vacation I negotiated the 3 toughest conversations managers need to have ask the readers: what are you really good at? I want to get rid of the office snack basket, shirt sizes for conferences, and more I was bcc’d on an email to my boss about his unprofessional outfits our HR director has gone rogue — and everyone’s afraid of her my prospective new boss was arrested for domestic violence tickling as team-building, awkwardness about my vacation plans, and more I’m in trouble for telling a former employee that my coworkers have been making fun of her how to deal with an unresponsive coworker is it unprofessional not to wear a bra to work? birthday cards at work, calling hiring managers before applying for a job, and more a hiring manager isn’t what you think, and other vocabulary lessons the 4 hardest conversations you’ll have in your career I’m in trouble for being too tired to work the day after Halloween I got someone else’s performance review, interviewer asked for a doctor’s note, and more October 2015 weekend free-for-all – October 31-November 1, 2015 job applicants who don’t follow instructions, the company I interned for won’t hire me, and more where should you look for jobs? open thread – October 30, 2015 colleagues keep interrupting my conversations, the carpool nose picker, and more how to decline to be a reference for a former coworker how to talk so that people listen to you have you ever had a spooky experience at work? keeping visitors from wandering our office, flooded with employee referrals for bad candidates, and more how quickly should you return calls and emails about interviewing? should I take off my engagement ring for job interviews? interview with a prison librarian managing a heavy breather, rejected for getting frustrated with HR, and more I’ve been a job-hopper — how can I start fixing my work history? you need some meeting norms, so that your meetings stop sucking my constantly AWOL boss holds me to a higher standard than she holds herself to manager has my coworker managing me, asking for fewer emails from a funder, and more massive discount on the Ask a Manager “how to get a job” bible is it possible to prepare too much for an interview? how not to celebrate Halloween at work my boyfriend has my old job and there’s tons of drama employee wants to retract his resignation, stolen break room supplies, and more weekend free-for-all – October 24-25, 2015 new coworker won’t stop texting me, I sent a sloppily formatted application email, and more 3 updates from letter-writers open thread – October 23, 2015 is it impostor syndrome or a bad fit, managing is stressful, and more my coworkers overheard me on an emotional personal call when an employee pushes for a promotion but isn’t ready dealing with customers who are upset about a high shipping fee on their order dealing with a lazy and difficult coworker, bringing kids to a job interview, and more I was left waiting for two hours at an interview is it okay to leave work right at 5 p.m. every day? the friend who I recommended for a job in my office is secretly job-searching after just a few months my manager wants to advertise for “rock stars,” my employees aren’t volunteering for work, and more what to say if you want to walk out of a horrible interview my team needs better communication — where do I start? new employee invited her spouse to an office lunch I’m violating my job’s new tattoo policy, I’m excluded from events that male coworkers are invited to, and more I live where I work, and now there’s a haunted house next to me everything you need to know about quitting your job my resigning employee is spreading lies during her last weeks in the office my boss is furious after my coworker pranked her, the deal with “hustle,” and more weekend free-for-all – October 17-18, 2015 responding to an unusually kooky job application, employer is pressuring us to donate to a lobbying group, and more update: the micromanaging boss who wanted all calls taken on speaker phone when an employee gives you the silent treatment after getting feedback open thread – October 16, 2015 claiming reimbursements for fake expenses, rude interviewers, and more my coworker is bitter that I got the permanent position he wanted what to do now to set your team up for success next year ask the readers: how to respond to another vendor who puts me down in front of our clients? my former manager is trash-talking my new manager, knowing everyone’s salary, and more do job-seekers really need an elevator pitch? how to work for an easily frustrated boss managing a delusional employee with few skills and a really weird website we’re all suffering because our dating coworkers broke up, my coworker got a vendor’s employee fired, and more is it rude to start an email without “dear”? the pay-off from returning your staff’s messages promptly, everyone hates info security policies, and more I didn’t get a job offer because the employer thought the salary was too low for me coworkers are joking that I got my promotion by sleeping with my boss, performance evaluations that assess work friendships, and more update: coworker didn’t warn us about bed bugs when we traveled to satellite office Boss’s Day is total BS I want to complain about an annoying customer who works at the store next to ours I want to accept the offer I just turned down, manager won’t let me quit, and more weekend free-for-all – October 10-11, 2015 telling my employer to replace me with someone more qualified, asking for a contract, and more should I send a Boss’s Day card to my new manager at a job I haven’t started yet? update: how do I tell my coworkers that I have incurable cancer? open thread – October 9, 2015 recruiters speaking in code, giving sensitive input to a search firm, and more is 8-6 the new 9-5? how to show leadership even when you’re not the boss if you’re encountering problematic ads here… I don’t want my employees working from home as frequently as they currently do calling my new colleagues by their first names, I don’t want to talk about my injury, and more my boss is strong-arming us to “volunteer” for company events when job candidates won’t share their salary expectations my boss turns it into an ordeal every time I ask him a question staff member got weirdly territorial with me, job makes us do business travel on personal time, and more team lead wants us to have weekly group meetings to air problems and grievances 5 phrases managers should stop using my employee keeps giving me instructions someone stole my phone charger, chronically late unpaid intern, and more should I tell job candidates I’m a lesbian in case it’s an issue for them? what’s up with HR? and when should and shouldn’t you talk to them? my older coworker won’t stop mothering me family members stopping by work, should I say goodbye to coworkers when I leave, and more weekend free-for-all – October 3-4, 2015 new boss barely talks to me, the ethics of gathering info from competitors, and more 2 more reader updates I don’t want to friend my coworkers on Facebook open thread – October 2, 2015 what do background checkers see, sprained ankles and free employee parking, and more should I be worried by a hiring process that’s just a single 30-minute interview? how to manage I.T. when you’re not a technical person how to deal with a coworker yelling at other coworkers, when I’m the team lead but not the manager we don’t want a grandson back in the family business, banning sleeveless tops, and more September 2015 our email signatures have to say “unhappy with my service? email my boss!” when flexible schedules hurt other coworkers my boss is a yes-woman I think my coworker has a learning disorder, employee is always too busy to sign paperwork, and more can I ask for a raise at my new job since I got a higher offer somewhere else? how can remote managers address problems they hear about secondhand? my new company wants me to change my name interviewer wants me to bring $350 to the interview, administrator asks staff to do his personal research work, and more will turning down an offer hurt my chances with that company in the future? how to interpret common things job interviewers say as the boss’s wife, do I really have to attend his company Christmas party? Leesa: if you want to sleep in luxury my interviewer gave me a Scientology test, employee is taking vacation at our busiest time, and more weekend free-for-all – September 26-27, 2015 my reference is an ex, warning an acquaintance not to take a job at my awful company, and more updates: employer scolded me for talking to my predecessor, and manager wants me to buy our whole team expensive coffee open thread – September 25, 2015 I used an alias to reapply for a job, I can’t drive on a business trip, and more how to teach students that employer care about outcomes, not how much time they put in how to solve a conflict on your team tell us your “straw that broke the camel’s back” moment with your job coworker is constantly coughing and blowing her nose, legal names and job applications, and more my coworker tries to compliment me into doing more work I don’t want to pick up my boss’s lunch for him employee keeps asking coworkers for food and money using Facebook for work without looking like I’m goofing off, forwarding business calls to a personal phone, and more what’s a good application/interview rate? how to become a thought leader in your field my low-travel job wants me to travel more — but boarding my dogs would be expensive my company is sticking us with part of the hotel cost on business trips, workload while boss is on maternity leave, and more I’m a graphic designer with a non-designer coworker who keeps trying to do my job what’s your boss allowed to ask when you call in sick? I’ve encouraged a coworker to vent about her boss — my friend job candidates who are willing to do any job, new desk is right next to my manager, and more weekend free-for-all – September 19-20, 2015 should recruiters disclose salary range when they reach out to you, “seeking new opportunities” on LinkedIn, and more update: my boss is stealing my lunch open thread – September 18, 2015 my new job worries I’ll steal, being told an “exceptionally qualified” candidate beat me out, and more how to explain why you want a part-time job how to manage during a crisis my friends and family are warning me not to hire employees for my small business how to tell a freelancer not to stop by in person, my boss keeps asking how much I paid for things, and more my manager wants us to IM each other to reduce email how to ask an employee to address a body odor problem my boss told me to write the same sentence 500 times as punishment for a mistake my coworker is annoyed that I read out loud, taking an admin job to get a foot in the door, and more can I ask to see the interview questions ahead of time? your emotions impact your staff’s productivity, what a manager’s schedule really looks like, and more my manager doesn’t defend me from mistaken complaints employee booked vacation for a date he’s required to work, lying for a nanny, and more update: my friend fabricated his resume and now wants me to be his reference is your job search know-how wildly out of date? I was fired after a stranger sent photos of my private text messages to my employer what to say to an employee who’s requesting too much time off, training the person who’s taking your job, and more weekend free-for-all – September 12-13, 2015 being seen around town when I’m out sick, manager hasn’t acknowledged my resignation, and more how to manage a hard worker who’s making mistakes open thread – September 11, 2015 coworker didn’t warn us about bed bugs, was I blacklisted, and more my insecure coworker keeps spying on me and trying to one-up me how to set goals that are real, not wishful thinking my boss wants to secretly recruit my coworkers and me into a money-making scheme expectations of student workers, transit service didn’t pick me up for work, and more my new coworker keeps joking about violence incompetent people probably have no clue that they’re incompetent should I pay a company to create a false work history for my resume? team member caused drunken scene at coworker’s wedding, asking for Friday off the first week on the job, and more do not cheat the one-page resume rule by using a tiny font and tiny margins can you be a good manager if you’re shy? my boss wants me to name my weaknesses at monthly meetings job candidate lied about his work history, not working oneself to death during a notice period, and more cheerleaders at work, misdirected selfies, and more do hiring managers really care about your GPA? coworker mock-slaps me, reporting a coworker’s inappropriate comments, and more weekend free-for-all – September 5-6, 2015 can bad employees and bad managers change? Friday open thread – September 4, 2015 recruiter contacted me at my work email address, interviewing for a job where I’d work at a small table in my boss’s office, and more my friend fabricated his resume and now wants me to be his reference how to recover when your best employee quits when should I tell a prospective employer that I’m transgender and in the midst of transitioning? receptionist walks around the office barefoot, company keeps changing my job, and more I was offered a job on the spot and accepted without asking about benefits or my upcoming honeymoon how to hire people to work for a difficult boss I’m sick of being the office therapist lying about employment dates, changing out of biking clothes at work, and more the guy who did my job before me won’t go away how to set realistic deadlines confess your job search sins here having a boyfriend meet you at work for lunch, dealing with Boss’s Day, and more August 2015 my coworker keeps making snide comments about my hours how to deal with a coworker who won’t stop talking my manager was escorted out after resigning, and I’m freaking out I misunderstood the schedule for my new job, former manager wants me to host a product party, and more weekend free-for-all – August 29-30, 2015 how flexible should job candidates be about interview times, employers finding online dating profiles, and more I feel “meh” about working — am I supposed to be more passionate? open thread – August 28, 2015 should managers always know their employees’ salaries, an insulting job offer, and more my coworkers keeps hacking into my Facebook and posting as me my team’s workload is too high — what should I do? how to correct someone’s repeated mispronunciation of the same word Oyster: The Netflix of Books keeping personal supplies in an office kitchen, bad judgment on Facebook, and more why was my probationary period extended at my new job? my office is obsessed with dieting and weight should you charge family members for using your professional skills? rogue admin has published her own strict rule book for new hires, hiring a coworker to babysit, and more how managers should communicate decisions they don’t agree with how to manage the subject matter experts on your team my boss asked me, “if you were fired, who would you tell first?” my boss keeps crying at work, LinkedIn user hit on me, and more update: my coworker keeps missing deadlines and it impacts my work 8 things that will make you look like a weirdo to hiring managers should I call out this company that jerked me around during a long-distance interview? profane decal on a car used for work, coworkers keep making me buzz them back inside, and more weekend free-for-all – August 22-23, 2015 I have nothing to do at work, should I explain why I’m declining an offer, and more update: I didn’t check references on a new hire and he’s struggling — should I check them now? how to replace an employee who doesn’t know she’s being fired open thread – August 21, 2015 my employer wants us to all endorse their services on LinkedIn, emailing an interviewer late at night, and more job candidate is triggering an etiquette land mine with appointment self-scheduling how to push a project forward when you don’t have any authority when your employer catches you forging a doctor’s note to get out of work marketing department uses everyone’s photo but mine, I might have been demoted, and more update: my coworker won’t stop caressing me — or the kids we work with my employee keeps sneaking out of work early I think I’m burning out — what should I do? declining a raise, teaching employee a skill she doesn’t actually need, and more walking in on a coworker who’s clearly procrastinating the scientific case for a two-hour lunch break, hearing your phone buzz lowers your productivity, and more how to say “that’s not my job” my boss won’t let me use any of my vacation time, uncomfortable with the way my friend talks about her students, and more revisiting two recent answers (and a better answer about writing samples edited by others) when internships go bad: stories of the world’s worst interns my mom wants me to participate in a family vacation while I’m simultaneously running a conference in that city I saw my coworker with the spouse who assaulted her, employer bans job applicants who are applying anywhere else, and more weekend free-for-all – August 15-16, 2015 how to announce a firing, I’m losing my bonus, and more update: what should I wear to an office pool party? stop claiming subjective traits on your resume open thread – August 14, 2015 my husband’s employee keeps driving by our house, CEO gave out bible stories to employees’ kids, and more my office is going overboard on team-building activities a manager’s guide to avoiding productivity-killing perfectionism struggling to accommodate coworkers’ medical leave in a small office overweight employee keeps breaking office chairs, my boss won’t give me a budget, and more my boyfriend is pressuring me to act as a big sister to his trainee my boss gives in to my coworker’s temper tantrums will my parents sabotage my job offer? I keep hearing my coworker prayed about me, job applicant lied about past experience, and more how can I decide if a long interview process is worth it? how to avoid post-vacation stress once you’re back from vacation our company party is really a work meeting — with significant others my manager wants twice-a-day reporting on how I’m spending my time, affair is causing a scandal, and more job application wants to know whether I’d work at my past companies again how to become your boss’s favorite should I offer to take on admin work to help my boss? attend class from home (possibly for free): CreativeLive mentioning marriage and kids on a resume, interviewing in a foreign language, and more weekend free-for-all – August 8-9, 2015 interviewing when you’re far apart on salary, turning down a date with a coworker, and more update: how to fire your oldest client should you accept a job offer when there’s no manager in place yet? open thread – August 7, 2015 telling the board about the problems with our new boss, asking for a different email address, and more the intern who shares my office keeps coming in sick how to handle a coworker who doesn’t respect your authority tell us your worst intern horror stories new hire is plotting a coup, getting rid of an unlimited vacation policy, and more my coworker does a shirtless workout in full view of our office windows can you turn down a dinner invitation from your boss? did my friend give me a damaging reference? should I stop baking for my husband’s coworkers, my job wants me to take a laptop on vacation, and more can I change my mind after accepting a job offer? how to manage a brilliant jerk my boss told me to stop closing my office door when I’m on the phone want me to review your resume? I thought my in-person interview was a phone interview, wearing the same dress as a senior colleague, and more resume reviews are coming tomorrow update: my coworker can’t afford the gas to get to work 5 things you should never do while waiting to hear back about a job my parents won’t stop nagging me about my career choices I was given an IQ test at a job interview, my manager won’t let me follow my doctor’s orders, and more weekend free-for-all – August 1-2, 2015 employee clique is causing problems, employer will pay me more if I work as a contractor, and more July 2015 can I leave a volunteer position with a not-great manager, but stay involved with the organization? an interview with me open thread – July 31, 2015 how can I make my coworkers understand my migraines, job offer was pulled after I resigned my current job, and more my part-time job wants me to work more days — am I being unreasonable in saying no? how can employees move up if they don’t want to manage people? how to explain to interviewers why I quit my job without another one lined up food gift etiquette, do interviewers decide whether to hire you in 90 seconds, and more my manager told me I can’t list this job on my resume my boss is consulting my peer about my work my new office is full of dogs — and I’m allergic my new employer lied to me about salary, do we need team meetings, and more I’m getting a bunch of calls from recent grads asking to schedule job interviews napping at work, better office design, and more should parents encourage their kids to have jobs during school? interviewer asked me to describe myself in one word, I was fired after only three days, and more how long can it take to hear back after a job interview? our intern is driving everyone crazy! employees who vent to HR but don’t want us to act on the information Igloo: an intranet you’ll actually like carpool drama, employee time-off demands, and more weekend free-for-all – July 25-26, 2015 interviewer missed two phone interviews, exposing tattoos to coworkers, and more end your doubts about cover letters, all ye who enter here should I ask out an employee at a store where I shop? open thread – July 24, 2015 a sketchy assistant with a fancy watch, wearing lots of wigs, and more how to answer “what could your current employer do to keep you?” the real reason your team isn’t telling you what they think my employee delivered a status update … in song I get embarrassingly emotional when criticized, boss is yelling at me for using my phone, and more I didn’t check references on a new hire and he’s struggling — should I check them now? how to manage a team that resents you letting new parents bring babies to work every day my boss keeps asking for rides to the airport, man buns in the office, and more my interviewers accused me of lying on my resume how to make telecommuting work for your team employee keeps asking if she’ll be fired nude photos of a former employee, I hate my work travel, and more update: I racked up $20,000 in personal charges on my company credit card 8 phrases that are killing your cover letters another company keeps opening our mail and possibly stealing it manager wants me to buy our whole team expensive coffee, being paid double for doing two jobs, and more weekend free-for-all – July 18-19, 2015 should I tell my boss I made a major mistake, quitting a job when a relative is pressing me to stay, and more update: employee charged a honeymoon suite to my company credit card should you be paid for the time you spend interviewing internally? open thread – July 17, 2015 employee gets drunk and belligerent on business trips, employee referrals, and more how to answer “how long have you been job searching?” 4 questions to ask your team members my coworker keeps missing deadlines and it impacts my work I’m not allowed to wear jeans but all my coworkers do, drinking the boss’s fancy water, and more are nonprofits more dysfunctional? how to respond professionally to negative feedback my former employer is demanding to know where I’m working now and what my salary is employee is always sick on Mondays, how many finalists are there for most jobs, and more I was offered an interview — until they found out my current salary help! I’m an extrovert managing a team of introverts I want to ask my boyfriend’s manager to help me surprise him at work my boss asked my staff how often I’m in the office, getting a to-do list tattoo, and more employee charged a honeymoon suite to my company credit card when you’re younger than everyone you manage I don’t respect my managers’ college degrees from 20 years ago my manager is BFFs with my coworkers, telling employees not to wear headphones, and more weekend free-for-all – July 11-12, 2015 are Friday afternoon interviews bad, interviewing with a lazy eye, and more update: 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 how to set boundaries with people who want to pick your brain open thread – July 10, 2015 inappropriate birthday card, loud mechanical keyboards, and more should my manager cover my work while I’m on vacation? how to get the most out of your summer interns am I crossing boundaries with my boss, who’s also my friend’s mother? my boss lied to a client about getting engaged, talking with job applicants pre-interview, and more ask the readers: my coworker can’t afford the gas to get to work should you give honest feedback about your manager? holding a work party at Hooters my team is the target of contempt, the second shift uses my desk, and more what should I wear to an office pool party? how to delegate when you desperately don’t want to let go how should I ask candidates their salary expectations? I don’t want my manager to ride in my car when he’s sick, employees deliberately working slowly, and more an online job application rejected me before I even finished filling it out how to save your summer internship from sucking we made a job offer contingent on references — and the reference was bad fielding complaints from an employee’s husband, bringing gifts back from vacation for coworkers, and more weekend free-for-all – July 4-5, 2015 companies that lie about salary, controversial issues on your resume, and more stop doing the office housekeeping work open thread – July 3, 2015 employer asked for references after I’d already been hired, good bosses from TV and movies, and more no, you’re not getting anyone fired the 5 people you definitely don’t want on your team do I owe my coworkers an explanation about my FMLA leave? my coworker plagiarized my work, manager told me that I can’t give references, and more my new employer scolded me for talking to my predecessor my boss is stealing my lunch I’m an intern managing 8 people letting job candidates know what they’re doing wrong, helping my coworker improve her work, and more June 2015 update: I walked in on employees having sex — and I think there’s a sex club in my office how to build better relationships with other departments my friend is a terrible coworker managing someone who doesn’t want to move up, conflicting instructions, and more candidates who don’t respond to interview invitations 5 trends that are making your work life harder how to deal with customers hitting on support reps telling a coworker her shirt is too sheer, saying WTF at work, and more weekend free-for-all – June 27-28, 2015 coworkers are reacting badly to my wardrobe upgrade, unpaid days off, and more the mysterious case of the devious defecator open thread – June 26, 2015 board member keeps bringing her kids to meetings, unofficial salary offers, and more employee is upset about losing mileage reimbursement when we give him a company car micromanaging: not always a dirty word how do people take phone interviews during the work day? firing someone for racist tweets, my coworker is charging for coffee, and more employer is offering a paid day off to attend a religious service how to cope with unreasonable deadlines my employees are monitoring my schedule telling my friend’s boss how overworked she is, dating the head of HR, and more should managers ask or tell when assigning work? when remote work goes really, really wrong I’m upset that my coworker played favorites with party invitations employee keeps bringing her son to our free lunch, I got the job my boss applied for, and more how can my resume show that I take charge and people like me? are you turning off your interviewer without realizing it? my chronically networking husband hands out business cards on date night I’m getting mixed messages from my boss, training resistant senior colleagues, and more weekend free-for-all – June 20-21, 2015 should I hire a coworker’s fiancé to work on my car, using a work email address to apply for jobs, and more 4 updates from past letter-writers what to do when a bad employee asks for a reference open thread – June 19, 2015 5,000th post I overheard a coworker making hateful comments, I’m having trouble focusing in a shared office, and more internal visitors are booking up all our conference rooms how to get employees to take vacation — and why you should employer wouldn’t interview me unless I authorized an invasive background check before we even talked helping someone get better at thinking on her feet, did I bomb my phone interview, and more my coworker plays on the internet all day long what to do if you think you’re about to get fired coworker keeps calling me “baby mama” applying for the same job as a friend, interview outfits in sweltering weather, and more can I ask for a second chance at an interview after getting rejected? 4-day work weeks, jerks who sap your productivity, and more my boss’s husband is a jerk who yells at me when he calls our office should we pay for spouses to fly to our company party, a fired coworker’s request, and more my recruiter told me to wear “something feminine” to an interview these 5 resume mistakes are hurting your job search should I tell a new employee that her facial piercings are limiting the work we’ll give her? dealing with a work crush, our boss lied about a family emergency to skip a meeting, and more weekend free-for-all – June 13-14, 2015 did I cross the line with our fun office survey, handling a boss’s birthday, and more should you warn employees before you fire them? open thread – June 12, 2015 former boss keeps trying to pull me into drama, interviewer told me that I was “misleading” him, and more company doesn’t want departing employees to send staff-wide “goodbye” emails how to adjust to a more demanding job have a telecommuting horror story? getting bcc’d on an unhappy email, keeping in touch with a horrible manager, and more my coworker obsessively checks my calendar all day long why your job postings aren’t attracting the right candidates my boss has phone sex with his girlfriend with his office door open bringing a boyfriend to company’s family events, scared to resign because boss will explode, and more can my cover letter ask for more money than an employer’s posted salary range? what to do when you inherit a struggling team my colleague won’t stop trash-talking herself changing into workout clothes at the office, my interviewer tried to figure out my age, and more did my employer mishandle my layoff? what to do when an interview doesn’t go as planned my team sent me a bag of garbage while I was recovering from surgery should I tell my boss I’m leaving because of his remarks about race, wearing shorts to work after breaking a foot, and more weekend free-for-all – June 6-7, 2015 I promised to stay for a year but want to leave now, using my own personal computer at work, and more should I submit an unsolicited writing sample when applying for a job? open thread – June 5, 2015 do-not-hire lists, nail-clipping interviewer, and more why should employers care about my long commute? how to get a staff member ready for promotion I racked up $20,000 in personal charges on my company credit card I want to skip my office’s day at the beach, I shared an employee’s paycheck on Facebook, and more is it really a good idea to create a 30/60/90 plan for an interview? how to handle the dreaded pay question when applying for a job my coworker aggressively digs up information when someone has a death in the family coworker with shingles, telling employees not to have personal conversations, and more can I eat at my desk at my first internship? how to manage when everyone thinks they’re the smartest person in the room dealing with an overly touchy-feely colleague who wants to talk about feelings all the time leaving before an interview starts, re-hiring employees who quit and want to return, and more how to create a video cover letter how to rebuild your credibility after messing up at work my boss’s boss won’t talk to me directly, even when I’m standing right there when your boss is at the next table during your dinner interview, employee is taking too much time off, and more May 2015 weekend free-for-all – May 30-31, 2015 I’m trying to resign but it’s not working, client is deducting fees for quick payment, and more update: my project leader falls asleep in our meetings my boss keeps me on a month-to-month contract open thread – May 29, 2015 I got chastised for taking initiative, coworker secretly plans to quit after maternity leave, and more I don’t want to keep helping my old boss for free how to change course on a bad office policy that you put in place am I wrong to refuse to hire coworkers’ kids as interns? my employee listens to every conversation around her, I don’t want a promotion, and more using staff-wide email to track down a potential date how much guidance should interns need? should I apologize to another team for how my boss treated them? listing a medical marijuana clinic as an employer, excluded from a team lunch, and more I’m in an office where everyone uses reply-all on everything — do I have to too? 5 hidden inefficiencies on your team I’m supposed to share a house with five coworkers for a team retreat should a video game character be fired, thwarting public record laws, and more did I commit a cardinal job-searching sin? coworkers keep commenting on my food delaying a start date, resigning at the wrong time, and more weekend free-for-all – May 23-24, 2015 new hire is frequently out of the office, should I start job-searching if my boss is leaving, and more the right way to leave a toxic workplace open thread – May 22, 2015 a request for help from someone I can’t stand, paging troubles, and more which is better: a handwritten thank-you note or an emailed note? how to repair a bad relationship with a staff member my coworker wants us to drink at lunch every Friday is “FYI” rude, coworker’s girlfriend keeps hanging out in his office, and more company wants me to pay back half my salary since I only worked a few months and “didn’t add enough value” what to do when your old employer keeps calling you for help was I right to call the employer of some obnoxious, trash-talking jerks on my train? I told my boss to F off, thanking my office for a birthday card I never received, and more should you address hiring managers by their first names? how to regain control of your time and get more done how should I have handled an older married colleague’s interest in me? our employee runs an adult website on the side, manager is pushing me to use public transportation, and more when I overhear speaker phone conversations, is what I overhear fair game to share? what to do when your boss wants you available 24/7 should I email my whole team to air my grievances when I resign? your manager sucks and isn’t going to change weekend free-for-all – May 16-17, 2015 new manager getting pushback from staff, employer keeps tweeting about a job opening, and more 3 reader updates a hiring committee accidentally included me when discussing my qualifications with each other open thread – May 15, 2015 colleague is dressing down on charity dress-down day but refusing to pay, is this hiring process fair, and more can I speak up about how our meetings always run way past the allotted time? how to get rid of drama on your team I’m frustrated that I was rejected by an employer for a second time should I let a rejected candidate know that her references aren’t great, dinner interviews, and more my friend’s resume is killing her chances but she thinks I’m a know-it-all is the one-page resume rule dead? how do I get our office cleaner to stop talking to me while I’m working? office tenant keeps stealing our supplies, professor turned down my request to be a reference, and more my employee takes over other people’s work and gets emotional when I ask her to stop some people working long hours are faking it, emails are killing your productivity, and more my manager says I’m too abrupt with coworkers recruiter wants to prep my references, my employer is trying to guilt me into working for free, and more no one is reading my resume’s skills section if you’re graduating soon, here’s how to kick off your job search my job offer was pulled after I said the insurance wouldn’t meet my needs paying to apply for a job, coworkers won’t stop talking about my weight loss, and more weekend free-for-all – May 9-10, 2015 reaching out to an employer multiple times after applying, I ended my last job on bad terms, and more update: fielding a job offer when you might be facing a serious health diagnosis why companies don’t say what they really want in job ads open thread – May 8, 2015 a coworker threw away my shoes, I no-showed for an interview and now want a second chance, and more employers with rigid interview days and times how to oversee a remote team’s work ask the readers: how can I avoid making friends at work? do I have to buy my boss a wedding gift, my interview slot was revoked, and more my trainer at my new job lied about me to our boss what’s the etiquette for calling coworkers outside of normal work hours? my manager refers to me as her “supermodel” playing mini golf before an interview, disciplined for topless post-mastectomy photo on Facebook, and more can I tell coworkers I don’t want to chat when I arrive early and am working on personal projects? how to manage a project where roles aren’t clear my boss is constantly telling me how to run my personal life — and called me insubordinate when I pushed back I want my manager to tell me our meeting topics in advance, my manager shoots down my team-building ideas, and more my company interviewed and rejected my husband — and I’m frustrated how to get the inside scoop on a company before accepting a new job yes, you can use Times New Roman on your resume my interviewer tried to sell me luxury suits, asking an employee if she has kids, and more weekend free-for-all – May 2-3, 2015 I was asked to interview again after getting an offer, sticking it at out at a bad new job, and more overly nice hiring managers are sending me mixed messages about my chances open thread – May 1, 2015 manager makes us say how we would do better than our coworkers, employers don’t think I’m an adult, and more April 2015 am I supposed to return missed calls from coworkers if they don’t leave a message? how to manage someone you don’t like how to interview long-winded job candidates who won’t stop talking does it matter who you report to, I don’t want to hear about my friend’s mistakes, and more my employee keeps working long hours even though I’ve asked him to stop what to do when your coworker won’t put down her phone a pay disparity in my office is causing a drama-filled crisis my manager’s boss wants us to complain about my manager to his face, inconsiderate meeting times, and more I shared a complaint about a coworker with her manager — and then she shared my complaint with that person 5 ways to lose your team’s respect is it worth making an issue over this employee’s lateness? people are stealing my tea, do I have to respond to recruiters on LinkedIn, and more my coworker follows up on emails in person if he doesn’t get an instant response how to determine what salary to ask for asking a prospective client to pay travel expenses who can managers talk to, my boss only gives gifts to women, and more weekend free-for-all – April 25-26, 2015 should I share my resume, should I call out a rude hiring manager, and more update: my client constantly pesters me and micromanages my every move open thread – April 24, 2015 my manager uses IM to monitor me, my coworker complains about my schedule, and moremy manager uses IM to monitor me, my coworker complains about my schedule, and more just because no one’s complaining doesn’t mean your behavior is okay why managers are afraid to ask for help — and how they can how to ask for a treadmill desk or standing desk at work a coworker left a mess in my office, brainteaser interview questions, and more my employer gives terrible resume advice to low-income people when your manager values face time more than results I walked in on employees having sex — and I think there’s a sex club in my office my coworker attributes my boss’s success to her looks, changing the salary range I gave an employer, and more what to do when an employee announces she’s resigning … at some point but not now no-meeting Wednesdays, why you should say “done” more often, and more asking for a raise when I manage payroll and know what everyone else makes liberating an employee from obligatory socializing, corporate headshots, and more is it rude to shut someone’s office door if they’re being loud? it’s time to end Secretaries Day my employee keeps accusing me of favoritism toward her coworker is my predecessor trying to undermine me, being asked to work for free in an interview, and more weekend free-for-all – April 18-19, 2015 coworker’s drama-filled personal calls, interviewer refused to interview me, and more stop putting your salary history on your resume how to spot job candidates who will have attendance problems open thread – April 17, 2015 interviewer asked if I’d rather fight or steal, boss ordered me to contribute to a laid-off employee, and more my interviewers keep yawning in my face how to develop someone’s troubleshooting skills how can I force my company to let me work remotely? my interviewer laughed at me, band manager is out of his gourd, and more my boss gives me deadlines and then get annoyed when work isn’t finished early is it rude to cc higher-ups when another team is unresponsive? a job applicant’s sister contacted me with questions on her sister’s behalf my team wants me to bring them cookies, coworker is constantly monitoring me, and more my husband’s boss wants him to lie about our upcoming move how to say no to a work request I heard my coworker having sex on a business trip I’ve been grumpy at work, warning my predecessor about her reference, and more ending an email with “please advise” 8 ways to promote employee wellness that would actually work can I ask someone to interview his replacement so that I can fire him? my new employee lied on his resume, are ponytails professional, and more weekend free-for-all – April 11-12, 2015 forwarding praise to my boss, late thank-you note complaints, and more update: my boss thinks I should share a hotel room with a stranger at a conference how can I send a thank-you note when I don’t know my interviewer’s contact info? open thread – April 10, 2015 employee’s wife keeps causing a commotion at our office, I was interviewed by the person I’d be replacing, and more our new coworker is distracting and frustrating us how to decide whether to let someone work remotely ask the readers: tell us about your successful salary negotiations employer altered my LinkedIn profile, gifts for Admin Professionals Day, and more government-run career centers are terrible how to tell an employee to dress more professionally employee asked to be reimbursed for babysitting costs after he worked late one night I don’t want my manager to email my team when I’m out, my coworker has a drug charge, and more do I need to wear a suit to a job interview? you, being unprofessional my employee asked me not to give him any feedback new employee asked me our policy on dating supervisors, lazy friend wants me to be a reference, and more how should I format a cover letter? how to prepare for an internal interview new team leader wants to change everything we do my office is in the lunchroom, I can’t get people to answer pages, and more weekend free-for-all – April 4-5, 2015 should my resume say that I don’t want kids, who owns my artwork, and more the most surprising thing about Ask a Manager letters open thread – April 3, 2015 networking no-show, company didn’t respond after I turned down an offer, and more great moments in unprofessionalism 4 costly mistakes teams make when collaborating I don’t want to move up into a leadership role last-minute interviews, getting feedback meant for someone else, and more my workplace pulled a mean April Fools prank on employees my manager and her boss are always whispering and it’s driving me batty how to handle an overly persistent job applicant my employee keeps making a show of editing my work — and it’s obnoxious I fired a manager for drinking on the job, my coworker shared my pregnancy news, and more March 2015 do I really need to be on LinkedIn? can working from home increase your productivity? I hate work, all of it, with a passion manager won’t let me leave on time for physical therapy, what happens after an interview is over, and more when is it time to leave your first job? so you’ve gotten a job interview — what now? should I take the University of Phoenix off my resume? I only invited some of my staff to my birthday party, employers who call but don’t leave messages, and more weekend free-for-all – March 28-29, 2015 telling a college career center that they’re giving bad advice, I don’t want to go full-time, and more update: my boss makes us all keep the office kosher for Passover what to do when an employee gives you info in confidence open thread – March 27, 2015 employee reported her coworker for a Facebook photo that showed some skin, time-traveling interviewers, and more should you give job candidates the interview questions ahead of time? how can I help my boss manage his time better? employer pulled the job offer after I tried to negotiate asking to work 20% fewer hours, company won’t pay interest on business credit card charges, and more my new coworker is the contractor who I fired last year should you tell your boss about a slacker coworker? my boss called me repeatedly while I was out sick and even phoned my dad resigning when your boss is abusive, former coworker insists on lunch, and more when a job candidate asks, “so, what did you think of me?” how to get buy-in from your staff on tough decisions my coworker insists that I’m mad at her and is radiating drama giving feedback to a rude intern, my CEO is saying I was fired but I quit, and more when your boss asks you to plunge the toilet (and the return of the nieces) how to turn down requests to meet, network, or pick your brain asking a cash-strapped employer to pay to send me to a conference new hire keeps coming in late, I’m a non-designer being asked to design, and more weekend free-for-all – March 21-22, 2015 I keep getting work questions while I’m on maternity leave, telling new job about a counter-offer, and more update: my boss is sending everyone at my office racist memes open thread – March 20, 2015 my manager’s boss interferes with my work, working through lunch, and more should I worry about tattling at work? how to raise your team’s visibility how can I develop a poker face at work? asking a tech support person to write better emails, forced to promote my company on Facebook, and more when an interviewer asks you to say something bad about your former manager do you really need to send rejections to candidates who you’re not even interviewing? let’s have a remote staff retreat to publicly review everyone’s strengths and weaknesses my boss is forcing me to fly, my company didn’t send a funeral arrangement when my husband died, and more do I really need a side gig? why one start-up won’t let people work from home, March Madness is killing your productivity, and more how to handle a hostile new hire — and candidates with identical interview answers the person who referred me for a job was arrested, overly long bathroom breaks, and more should we have “employee of the year” awards? 5 workplace stereotypes about millennials that aren’t true when a candidate asks for more money a week after accepting an offer asking coworkers about what they get paid, my boss is borrowing money from staff, and more weekend free-for-all – March 14-15, 2015 my hostile colleague says that I now report to him, a work mailbox cleaned out without warning, and more update: my boss is pushing me to delay my start date at my new job so I can keep working at my old job is over-selling yourself in an interview the norm? open thread – March 13, 2015 how to start an email, turning down an offer that a friend helped me get, and more how to follow up with a bad guest speaker 4 time management beliefs that are harming you my boss is sending everyone at my office racist memes job offer red flags, I feel undermined by a coworker, and more applying for a full-time job and asking to work part-time male coworkers don’t believe I’m coming back after maternity leave can I invite my interviewer to lunch so we can connect on a more personal level? my writing partner is a hot mess, coworker hassles me about working from home, and more how to tell your team their work isn’t good enough do you feel guilty when you have to fire someone? an employee made an anonymous complaint to OSHA — how can I stop it from happening again? when job applicants don’t respond to interview invitations, the best time to start calls, and more what to think about before you quit your job my team keeps complaining about a coworker in a different department want me to review your resume? weddings that conflict with major work events, should travel time be included in a lunch hour, and more weekend free-for-all – March 7-8, 2015 printing your resume at work, updates, and more update: should I have to take vacation time for this day when I regularly work extra hours? are anonymous surveys really anonymous? open thread – March 6, 2015 I don’t want to recommend my dad for a job, refusing to train coworkers, and more should I be worried that my manager doesn’t return calls for references? how to increase productivity without decreasing morale my coworker is regularly late and it impacts my job I’m getting collection calls for my former coworker, a recruiter is blocking me from a job, and more how to research the company you’re interviewing with should you walk out of a bad job interview? how can I stop softening the message in tough conversations with my staff? my manager lies to make me stay late, over-using an employee discount, and more why don’t employers tell you the reason they’re rejecting you for a job? how to fight perfectionism and call a project complete how to decline men’s help carrying things at work companies without HR, hair styling in the work bathroom, and more my company keeps pushing me to extend my notice period 5 little-known secrets about job-searching is it inappropriate to hire an employee to pet-sit at my house? my boss wants me to fix his mother’s computer issues, my coworker is competing with me for a Ph.D. spot, and more February 2015 weekend free-for-all – February 28-March 1, 2015 unresponsive gatekeepers, overlooked at work, and more should I care about my employer when figuring out when to have a baby? open thread – February 27, 2015 I don’t have any work to do at my new job, awful resume feedback, and more is my mentor ignoring my emails? is everything a crisis? behind the scenes: ask me anything my friend is upset that I didn’t tell her about my job on her team, asking for a lower title, and more we have to notify our employer about any clubs or organizations we belong to, including churches how to announce a demotion to the rest of your team my interviewer made me trudge for blocks in the snow with my luggage so she could get lunch I’m missing my bus because of my manager, husband’s inappropriate new employee, and more do you know what your staff isn’t getting done? my manager is ignoring my girlfriend’s request not to call her when he’s looking for me should managers organize “fun” at work? my boss wants us to work late for no reason, inviting spouses to team-building events, and more when is it okay to call in sick? yet another reason to stay far away from resume-writing companies my client constantly pesters me and micromanages my every move declining a management role, looking young is affecting me at work, and more weekend free-for-all – February 21-22, 2015 sharing a referral bonus with a friend, do I really have to wear this company shirt, and more 3 reader updates open thread – February 20, 2015 turning down an internal promotion, is this company stringing me along, and more what to do when your interviewer is terrible at interviewing managers, stop doing these 3 productivity-killing things how productive should you be on a day you’re working from home? I’m assigned all the worst holidays to work, long company-wide lunches when I’m paid hourly, and more my husband got in trouble at work after I told his coworker to stay away from him what to do when a fired employee is badmouthing your company my manager is nickeling and diming me on vacation time while I’m working 27 days in a row refusing overnight travel for training, attending a coworker’s baby shower after being fired, and more sorry about the ad hiccups! realizing you want to reject a job candidate after already inviting them to interview Amazon’s rules for hiring, who’s doing the most office housework, and more I’ve messed up my work history and now can’t find a job how can I stop my office from celebrating my birthday, my old job won’t stop contacting me, and more I’m meeting my interviewer at a coffee shop — how does this work? get a mug from Chocolate Teapots Ltd. what verb tense should I use on my resume? my boss was arrested, being offered a job as the second choice, and more weekend free-for-all – February 14-15, 2015 a love triangle of lies and other romance dilemmas for Valentine’s Day don’t ask how many other people are interviewing for the same job as you open thread – February 13, 2015 is there any saving this almost-offer, supporting an assistant with a medical scare, and more interview with a former professional matchmaker make better decisions by conducting pre-mortems my manager gave me critical feedback but refused to give specifics bringing luggage to an interview, Monday morning meetings, and more will taking a part-time job impact my future career prospects? how to handle chronic complainers on your staff my coworker won’t stop caressing me — or the kids we work with being told to sleep on a couch on a business trip, unsolicited sales pitches, and more since I gave notice at work, my boss has tripled my workload can introverts and extroverts work together happily? my coworker writes a mean blog about me should I warn my staff about a drug’s mood-altering side effects, getting paid for freelance work that wasn’t completed, and more can you negotiate salary even if the job ad listed a set number? what’s different about job searching in 2015 my coworker is on personal calls all day long I was promoted without warning in an all-staff meeting, how to explain a firing when interviewing, and more weekend free-for-all – February 7-8, 2015 will blending my name with my fiance’s hurt my career, breaking bad news to someone who’s helped me, and more my boss has banned hot take-out food at lunch open thread – February 6, 2015 my company just hired back the person I replaced, how to choose who to take to a conference, and more you need a “waiting for” folder what to do when you can’t focus at work interviewer sent me the name of the other 7 candidates in the running for the job my coworker bombed an internal interview, letting a company fly me out if I’m unlikely to accept their offer, and more should you list a fun but fake fact on your resume to intrigue an employer? my interviewer asked me, “if I were to fire you, what would be the reason why?” will my work be tarred by a co-author’s bad reputation, having a reference proactively call an employer, and more actually useful questions to ask in informational interviews resisting delegating work? here’s how to move more to your team did my boss throw me under a bus, or did I screw up? my company says I didn’t return their property, a client invited me to a sports event, and more should I work for the government? 5 ways employers discourage you from negotiating salary how do I sell myself on my resume when I don’t feel like a great candidate? my project leader falls asleep in our meetings, left out of the office Super Bowl pool, and more January 2015 weekend free-for-all – January 31-February 1 I smelled alcohol on a coworker, being forced to bowl, and more I want to leave without notice but feel guilty about my coworkers open thread – January 30, 2015 standing on the street with a “for hire” sign, my employer left me stranded, and more managing colleagues’ expectations when I work part-time what to do when your staff is misusing email how to respond to a rude firing as a freelancer I can’t fire my awful assistant, people keep asking how old I am, and more employers want workers who they don’t have to train do you feel tele-pressure when you work from home? is there a best time of day to fire someone? asking sick employees to stay home, I don’t want to do the intern hiring, and more my boss will be angry that I didn’t tell him a coworker was job-searching how should your office handle snow days? I don’t know if my boss did anything after I reported a coworker’s plagiarism maternity leave and hurt feelings, penalizing employees who won’t participate in wellness programs, and more are there legal issues with volunteering at my yoga studio in exchange for free classes? resume “tricks” that will backfire on you my manager likes our competitor’s idea — the same one she rejected from me last year my boss won’t let me use a mouse, my horrible old boss may become my new boss, and more weekend free-for-all – January 24-25, 2015 telling family members to stop showing up at our store while my husband and I are working hostile workplace: it’s not what you think open thread – January 23, 2015 my coworker is using the wrong title, I don’t want to tell my employer where I’ll be working next, and more do we have to pay new hires for training time? is there any advantage to interviewing first or last? what to do when an employee keeps making mistakes interview with an incredibly diplomatic person … or how to agreeably disagree my coworker misuses words, unpaid working lunches, and more my boss thinks he is a mayan shaman should I let employees just leave a voicemail message when they’re going to be out sick? my boss won’t let me manage my staff, my old company plagiarized my resume, and more my coworker is trying to track my hours and PTO say goodbye to voicemail, the truth behind “work hard, play hard,” and more I’m afraid of the homeless people sleeping in front of my office I hate my resume writer, rejection for a promotion in a group of other candidates, and more my boss thinks I should share a hotel room with a stranger at a conference my team’s holiday parties are rather feeble my employer wants photos of my desk, contacting the person I’m replacing, and more weekend free-for-all – January 17-18, 2015 staying home on snow days, labeling millennials, and increasing your pay what does it mean to “be yourself” in an interview? open thread – January 16, 2015 asking a resigning employee to leave more quickly, banned from eating at my desk, and more can I ask coworkers to send praise for my work to my boss? what to do when work you’ve assigned turns out half-baked my coworker keeps trying to film me for silly videos and won’t take no for an answer Want a better company intranet? Check out Igloo. how interviewers judge the questions you ask, are degrees in “general studies” worth getting, and more my boss is making threats about the Mafia to me how to ask to resign instead of being fired my boss was about to promote me but just got fired, I can’t afford my coworker’s fancy retirement dinner, and more awkwardness over paying the bill at a dinner with coworkers 4 workplaces trends that are making you less productive ask the readers: starting work after being a stay-at-home parent is it demeaning to refer to “my team,” asking whether I’d have to work with a rude interviewer, and more I can’t even… did I push an employer too hard to give me info on a job opening? want a raise? here’s how to get one my boss keeps sending me urgent work to do even when I’m out sick can I go on my boyfriend’s business trip, I referred someone who alienated his team, and more weekend free-for-all “how to get a job” discount going… going… almost gone! my manager is trying to push me out of my job, sympathy interviews, and more stop saying “no” when job applications ask “can we contact this manager?” open thread – January 9, 2015 my former employer won’t let me pick up my belongings, I did too much interview research, and more how to respond when your boss asks “are you busy?” 4 new year’s resolutions for managers fielding a job offer when you might be facing a serious health diagnosis getting a friend fired, employer is controlling workers’ LinkedIn accounts, and more my boss is pushing me to delay my start date at my new job so I can keep working at my old job my employer is pressuring me to donate my retirement savings get a new job with this massive discount on the Ask a Manager job-searching bible when snow keeps employees from leaving, sending people home early for holidays, and more my employee’s cell phone makes constant, annoying noises 4 productivity tips that can backfire on you why do the extroverts run the show at work — at the expense of introverts? our admin earns more than me, I’m embarrassed by my coworker’s name, and more how to get money an employer owes you ignore this common — and awful — career advice did my office’s holiday lunch cross a line? my boss keeps joking about me never leaving, I was hired to replace someone who doesn’t want to leave, and more weekend free-for-all – January 3-4, 2015 update: how can I back out of a mentoring relationship? impostor syndrome: do you feel like a fraud? open thread – January 2, 2015 my assistant won’t call in when she’s sick, should employers respond to all applications, and more 6 smart resolutions that will land you a job in 2015 doing a coworker’s work after she returns from leave, presenting donations with fanfare, and more