ask the readers: strangely dramatic responses to mundane work events by Alison Green on January 11, 2024 For some reason, work makes people have weirdly strong reactions to relatively mundane events — examples here over the years include an office-wide meltdown when new phones were installed with fewer speed dial buttons, or the person who threw a massive tantrum when they were told they could no longer wear pajamas to work. Maybe you’ve […] Read the full article →
how do I find clothes that look businessy but not stuffy? by Alison Green on January 4, 2024 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I have a final job interview tomorrow. My previous interviews were virtual. I asked the recruiter (male) what to wear because I noticed my interviewers were wearing jeans and t-shirts. He said, “Oh, whatever makes you comfortable. Not a blazer. Most people here wear jeans […] Read the full article →
what’s your company doing for the holidays this year? by Alison Green on December 21, 2023 What’s your company doing for the holidays this year? Party on a boat that you can’t escape from and which will produce a confrontational email the following Monday? Potluck with questionable contributions? Swanky hotel party complete with lines of coke? Covid super-spreader event? Please share in the comment section! Read the full article →
the abundant shrimp, the resentful Oreos, and other stories of holiday madness at work by Alison Green on December 20, 2023 Here are 18 of my favorite stories you shared about holidays at work over the past month. 1. The affair “I wasn’t at this particular outing, but a married ex-team member who had moved to a new team just before Christmas had been invited with his new team on their Christmas outing. The ex-team member […] Read the full article →
office holiday gift-giving stories: worst gifts and weirdest gifts by Alison Green on December 14, 2023 In the spirit of the season, let’s hear about workplace gift debacles. Did a game of Secret Santa end in tears? Did a coworker throw a tantrum when she didn’t win a raffle? Did your boss try to give you Hanukkah balls? Were you given a jar of mold as a gift? These are all real […] Read the full article →
navigating workplace Christmas overload as a non-Christian by Alison Green on December 7, 2023 It’s the Thursday “ask the readers” question. A reader writes: I’d love to hear from you and/or your readers about how you handle the ubiquitous “holiday” activities every December that are invariably just Christmas celebrations. I’m not Christian and I always find this time of year tiring. It doesn’t help that I’m an elementary teacher, […] Read the full article →
share your funniest office holiday stories by Alison Green on November 30, 2023 We have once again entered the season of forced workplace merriment, holiday party disasters, and other seasonal delights! Thus it is time to hear about your office holiday debacles, past or current. Did you pass out naked in the break room? Did your manager provide you with a three-page document of “party procedures”? Were you given a […] Read the full article →
the Christmas bureaucrat, Secret Santa questionnaire, and other stories of holidays at work by Alison Green on November 22, 2023 It’s more holiday stories! Tradition dictates that as we head into the holiday season, we must revisit holiday stories previously shared by readers. Here are some favorites. 1. The depth of flavor “Not my story but my dad’s, and it makes me laugh every time. His workplace hosts an annual chili cookoff and everyone would bring […] Read the full article →
the Christmas tantrum, the potluck tyrant, and other tales of holidays at work by Alison Green on November 22, 2023 Over the years, readers have submitted a tremendous number of amusing stories about holidays at work, and since we’re heading into the holidays we must revisit them. Here are some of my favorites. 1. The Christmas tantrum “A woman who had worked at our office for more than twenty years pouted and threw tantrums like […] Read the full article →
the bacon monitor, the baby boom, and other stories of holidays at work by Alison Green on November 21, 2023 Over the years, readers have submitted a tremendous number of amusing stories about holidays at work. Here are some of my favorites. 1. The cook-off “Our office had a chili cook-off once. The morning of the potluck, it was announced that due to inclement winter weather and some people not being able to make it […] Read the full article →