my Gen X coworker is trying to “grandma” the Zoomers and it’s getting weird by Alison Green on November 6, 2024 A reader writes: I am writing about a new coworker who has no concept of boundaries. “Hannah” is in her mid-40’s and is pretty advanced in her career (in a technical position that starts at $100K a year). She sees herself as a “grandma figure” to the Gen Z coworkers in our small office. I’ve […] Read the full article →
my drunk coworkers are gossiping about me not drinking by Alison Green on October 30, 2024 A reader writes: I find myself in a truly bizarre situation. I attended a work conference overnight this weekend with almost all of my colleagues. We’re attorneys at a pretty large “small” law firm. At the end of the conference day, we all had dinner together. My close colleague, Jenna, and I arrived to dinner […] Read the full article →
at what point can I report my inappropriate and inflammatory coworker? by Alison Green on October 29, 2024 A reader writes: I’m having an issue with a coworker who I find deeply irritating and, frankly, am embarrassed to be professionally associated with. I have reported her more egregious actions to our manager and, after my second complaint, started documenting behavior but I don’t know what is actionable and what is petty and interpersonal. […] Read the full article →
my coworker escalates EVERYTHING until she gets her way by Alison Green on October 21, 2024 A reader writes: I work for a small company (less than 50 people) and Jane has been with us for about four years. She came with a lot of fanfare because she is specialist in her field and has a history of otherworldly production. Jane loves having a squad of adoring colleagues and subordinates and […] Read the full article →
argumentative coworker always says, “repeat back to me the point I just made” by Alison Green on October 21, 2024 A reader writes: I am a middle manager who works with an employee I’ll call “John.” John does not report to me, but there are scenarios in which I supervise aspects of John’s work and am in a position to give him feedback. John has a lot of experience (he’s been doing his job about […] Read the full article →
coworker’s wife works remotely from our non-remote office by Alison Green on October 15, 2024 A reader writes: Weird thing just came up at my work that I’d be curious to hear you weigh in on. I work at a university that is 100% in-person, on-the-ground. My colleague Fergus has an office in an obscure little corner of the building. We rarely see him come in and out, and he […] Read the full article →
my coworker won’t stop telling me that I smell by Alison Green on October 14, 2024 I’m off today. This was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: I enjoy wearing perfume, but tend to stick to indie oil scents, since the smell tends to stick closer to my skin (so, in theory, I don’t bother my coworkers) and also because I seem to be sensitive to the alcohol that a […] Read the full article →
how do I live down a reputation for being “extra”? by Alison Green on October 8, 2024 A reader writes: How does one shake a reputation at work for being “extra”? Three years ago, I joined my current organization and quickly became known as a go-getter, an innovator, and someone good at their job. Senior level colleagues would learn about programs I had developed, express admiration, and ask to borrow the idea. […] Read the full article →
my coworker insisted on inviting her sister to my wedding by Alison Green on October 8, 2024 A reader writes: This happened a while ago, but I’m still weirded out by it. I worked in a very close-knit, small office (five people), where I got along very well with everyone except one person, “Gertrude.” Gertrude was in her first job out of school, so it’s likely she was new to working world […] Read the full article →
our coworker lied about having a sick child and a rich fiance by Alison Green on October 7, 2024 I’m off for a few days (probably back tomorrow), so here’s an older post from the archives. This was originally published in 2017. A reader writes: I’m really curious about what you would have done in this situation. I’ve worked for a company for a little over 10 years and there is a person, who […] Read the full article →