I accidentally started a rumor about a coworker by Alison Green on September 6, 2022 A reader writes: I work for a large company. My department is four teams of six people, each under a manager who reports to a vice president. I have been working here for 10 years and my annual reports are all good, but I’ve been itching to move up the chain. A manager is retiring […] Read the full article →
pregnant coworker keeps saying awful things to my terminally ill sister by Alison Green on August 31, 2022 A reader writes: Hoo boy, this will be short but brutal. My little sister has terminal cancer — she has between 2-4 years left. No symptoms yet, so she’s still going to work every day. They’re a small company of 10 people (read: no HR dept) and one of those 10 is a woman apparently […] Read the full article →
pushy coworker won’t stop bringing me food I didn’t ask for by Alison Green on August 29, 2022 A reader writes: I started a new job just over a month ago. On my first day, a coworker — Kevin — asked if I would like a doughnut from a popular bakery near our office, as he was headed there anyway. I said yes, and he brought it. (He got my order wrong, but […] Read the full article →
my coworker posts love notes from their partner all over our shared office by Alison Green on August 23, 2022 A reader writes: I work in an office where everyone has a hybrid work schedule, in part because our physical office space doesn’t have enough office space for everyone to be in the office at the same time. It’s extremely clear that someone else uses your office on the days that you’re working from home. […] Read the full article →
my boss and I share an office with a volatile jerk by Alison Green on August 23, 2022 A reader writes: My boss, Ned, shares office space with his partner, Peter, in another business. It was made clear to me in the interview and repeatedly since then that I do not work for Peter, but to help Ned focus on our work I sometimes step in and assist with technology assistance and personal […] Read the full article →
I flashed my entire team during a video call by Alison Green on August 17, 2022 A reader writes: I would love any and all advice on this because I’m sincerely lost on what to do. To preface this, I do have a privacy camera cover which makes this mistake even more avoidable. I work remotely and during a morning meeting with our entire team, I noticed an incessant knocking at […] Read the full article →
my constantly available coworkers keep commenting on my healthier work-life balance by Alison Green on August 11, 2022 A reader writes: I work in an organization with a culture of constant availability. It’s sort of prestigious to work outrageous hours or join calls en route to a vacation. My manager was sending emails from his wedding, for example. This isn’t for me so I don’t do it. I’m not sure if I’m unusually […] Read the full article →
can I ignore my coworker’s calls and only communicate by email? by Alison Green on August 10, 2022 A reader writes: I work for a state corrections/law enforcement agency. We have state-issued laptops and cell phones. Our schedule is very flexible and self-directed: we work in the field, from home, and in the office. Our hours are set, but where we are working and what tasks we may be doing vary. I prefer […] Read the full article →
how do I ask the CEO if I can “borrow” his assistant for my projects? by Alison Green on August 9, 2022 I’m off today. This was originally published in 2012. A reader writes: I am eight days into a new job. It is a rather large corporation. When I was hired, I inquired about an assistant to answer my calls, emails, etc., because I had one at my previous job. My boss, the CEO, mentioned they […] Read the full article →
my overpaid coworker is rude, rarely here, and calls us “uptight” and “slaves” for caring about our jobs by Alison Green on August 2, 2022 A reader writes: I have a coworker, Cersei, who is “politely” condescending. Her demeanor and tone sound nice, but her words are unprofessional and, quite frankly, rude. She is viewed very poorly by everyone in the department, which has led to multiple venting and complaining sessions, some with me included and others I’ve overheard. Some […] Read the full article →