my boss is smothering the hell out of me by Alison Green on May 5, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve been with my company 10 years. I was promoted to a new position in February, shortly before the pandemic erupted. Since mid-March, we’ve all been working from home. I already worked from home several days a week by choice, so I have a good set-up for it, am accustomed to its […] Read the full article →
can I ever repair my bad reputation with my manager? by Alison Green on May 5, 2020 A reader writes: I’ve been working IT support for a company for nearly four years, and I wish I could say I’ve been a better employee but I can’t. Around the beginning of 2018, my mental health began to take a severe nosedive after the end of a very long personal relationship, and in late […] Read the full article →
is it a bad idea to work for a first-time manager? by Alison Green on April 23, 2020 A reader writes: I need help in assessing the pros and cons of going to work for someone with no experience managing direct reports. I’m currently employed with an organization where layoffs are looming in the near future, and I have started looking for a position with a hopefully more stable company. I have over […] Read the full article →
my boss’s son constantly yells at him in the office by Alison Green on April 20, 2020 A reader writes; I work for a family-owned company. My boss (let’s call him Rob) employs both of his sons and his daughter-in-law, and they all get special treatment within the company. For instance, his daughter-in-law comes in about five hours a week and is paid for 40 and his son was gone for more […] Read the full article →
my daily work calls with my boss feel too social by Alison Green on April 16, 2020 A reader writes: With the current worldwide situation, my team has been granted the ability to work from home. This is a HUGE deal, as my workplace is very anti-telecommute and has been vocally against it for years. One of the caveats of this arrangement is a daily one-on-one phone call from my supervisor, Jane. […] Read the full article →
my boss mooches off me while I’m living paycheck to paycheck by Alison Green on April 8, 2020 A reader writes: I am part of a small team that works with the support staff at a hospital. My supervisor treats me like her personal assistant on most days, and like her servant on other days. On a nearly daily basis, I am putting off my own duties to help her with hers. It’s […] Read the full article →
how do I deal with a boss who “yells” in angry emails? by Alison Green on March 23, 2020 A reader writes: I was hoping to get your advice on how to approach my boss about the way we communicate when he gets … shall we say, “easily agitated.” I report to a single manager (Bob) but routinely pick up projects for a number of other managers (all of whom who sit between Bob […] Read the full article →
my boss expects me to babysit her rambunctious kid by Alison Green on March 17, 2020 A reader writes: Thanks to your great advice, I landed an awesome job last year! I work as an event planner who runs trainings and conferences and supports two facilitators, one of whom is my direct supervisor (Anne). I work with another woman (Barbara) in my same role. We together support my supervisor. Anne is […] Read the full article →
my new boss says everything is “fun” — even data entry and illness by Alison Green on March 17, 2020 A reader writes: I have a fairly low-stakes issue, but it’s driving me absolutely nuts. My supervisor left about a year ago, but was replaced after eight months. During that time, I was responsible for much of the department’s function, along with an administrator who shares my more pessimistic, gallows-esque humor. We work at an […] Read the full article →
how do you know when to “lean out”? by Alison Green on March 5, 2020 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’m an attorney at a law firm (U.S.-based) and had my first child 10 months ago. Prior to having the baby, I was held in very high regard (big bonuses, big raises, lots of self-marketing opportunities, all hallmarks of success in a law firm). When […] Read the full article →