my “empath” coworker is kind of a jerk by Alison Green on September 16, 2024 A reader writes: For about half a year now, I’ve had a colleague (let’s call him Dave) who has a few strange quirks. He tends to look for my reaction at a lot of things other people say, and then comment on the way I react. For example: another coworker or my boss makes a […] Read the full article →
can I ask coworkers why they didn’t hire my daughter? by Alison Green on September 16, 2024 A reader writes: My daughter applied for a job at the firm where I’m currently employed, in a department supervised by three very good friends of mine. I’ve known them all for over 20 years. I consider them great coworkers and friends. My neighbor also applied for the job. My neighbor has been out of […] Read the full article →
my coworker is dating a convicted pedophile by Alison Green on September 16, 2024 A reader writes: I’m in a weird situation with a few coworkers, and don’t know what to do. My desk mate, Beth, is roommates with a coworker, Sally. Sally works in our department, but her office is in a different part of the building. Sally recently started dating someone and confided in Beth that boyfriend, […] Read the full article →
our boss hired his emotionally unstable son to work with us by Alison Green on September 10, 2024 A reader writes: I work in a preclinical (no patients) research lab in a hospital. The team involved in our day-to-day work is small, consisting of three full-time employees and the lab manager. We all have to work together closely to get studies done. Our top boss and PI, Cyrus, is the head of the […] Read the full article →
my coworker won’t use women’s names by Alison Green on August 27, 2024 A reader writes: This is a weird low-stakes thing. I work in a small government office and we have a guy working here who’s been here for over 40 years and is within a year or two of retiring. I like him well enough, but I’ve noticed he almost never calls women by their names. […] Read the full article →
I joked about a coworker’s slowness … and he overheard by Alison Green on August 21, 2024 A reader writes: I am the manager of a small group. I sometimes work with non-management staff outside my group, one of whom is an exceedingly capable, but idiosyncratic, person, “Karl.” He is very focused and will go far above and beyond to make sure that everything is clear, organized, and exactly right. This is […] Read the full article →
my boss says I need to socialize more with my team by Alison Green on August 20, 2024 A reader writes: I’ve been in my job for about two years, and I’m just going to say it: I don’t have a great manager. The biggest sticking point has been his over-emphasis on the team hanging out and “getting to know each other.” He never bothers to schedule work time for us to do […] Read the full article →
I’ve been covering my coworker’s work for months because he’s going through a divorce by Alison Green on August 19, 2024 A reader writes: I am looking for some advice when it comes to a teammate at work, Paul, who is currently going through a divorce. We have been working together for the last two years. Earlier this year, Paul called me to say that his wife had asked for a divorce out of nowhere. I […] Read the full article →
you can’t escape the office diet police by Alison Green on August 19, 2024 We all know the office diet police: the people who say, “Don’t you know that’s terrible for you?” as if you’d chosen Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for their nutritional value … “Oh, I see we’re being naughty today!” as you eat a slice of cake … and, if you choose something heathy, “Ugh, another salad—you need […] Read the full article →
my coworker is telling people I spat in her coffee (I didn’t) by Alison Green on August 19, 2024 A reader writes: I’m early in my career and in my late twenties. I’ve been with the same company for around four years now and have been working hybrid since early 2022. Tempest works in the same small office that I do. There are maybe 10 of us who come in regularly, but she works […] Read the full article →